Adnan Siddiqui is a fine actor, and quite the fine man as well. He has been part of the industry for a while now, and therefore, has an important voice in it.

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Thank you everyone who voted for me🙏. #hsa

A post shared by Adnan Siddiqui (@adnansid1) on Sep 1, 2018 at 2:37pm PDT

Today, Adnan Siddiqui used his voice to talk about a topic that has been very important lately – the #MeToo movement.

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Hello people, just a little stressed due to something personal. Didn’t feel like doing anything. Thought would write something, absolutely abstract thoughts, let’s see how it goes. I’ve recently read about a few cases sexual abuse, harassment, abduction and street crime across the globe. They’ve been on the rise in the last few days. In Pakistan street crime was in check for quite sometime but apparently has started again. There are quite a few female journalists in India who’ve come out and openly spoken about various kinds of abuse they’ve faced or crime they’ve been subjected to. I read some stories on twitter and though I was quiet, it was bothering me. I’ve read a few stories about various crimes in Pakistan also recently. While some of them took a really long time to speak up, I must have say it’s a very brave step. I think it requires immense courage to speak against such crimes. We’re progressing and growing then why not work towards making the world free of sexual abuse and harassment. If you notice/experience anything that’s not favourable, or if someone tries to abuse or harass you please speak up. By keeping quiet you’re encouraging the culprit to continue with what he does. If today god forbid it’s you, tomorrow it would be someone else. What pains me is that still there’s a major section of women that don’t speak up. They are quiet due to some or the other pressure. I’m not entirely sure, but I heard Sindh Education and Literacy Department is going to introduce a chapter on harassment which shall be taught in schools. It is indeed the need of the hour and I hope it get implemented worldwide. I feel, we must empower women to speak up against a crime they’ve been subjected to. Instead of putting allegations on them, trolling them, we must be empathetic towards them. Help them heal. Help them come out in the open and nab the culprits. Help the world become free of any abuse and harassment. Women are the torch bearers of tomorrow. I’m reminded of these lines by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, “Bol, ke lab azaad hai tere, bol, zabaan ab tak teri hai…”🙏 . . (Link in bio) . . #empoweredwomen #saynotoabuse

A post shared by Adnan Siddiqui (@adnansid1) on Oct 6, 2018 at 4:21pm PDT

The actor spoke up against sexual harassment and abuse and left quite a powerful message. Talking about those speaking up, he stated:

“While some of them took a really long time to speak up, I must say it’s a very brave step. I think it requires immense courage to speak against such crimes. We’re progressing and growing then why not work towards making the world free of sexual abuse and harassment. ”

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“Success isn’t always about greatness, it’s about consistency” – Dwayne Johnson I read this quote by @therock & could instantly relate to the mindset behind it. I believe it all comes down to never giving up; no matter how hard the conditions maybe, you have to be better. Having a goal in your mind gives a reason to your life & that reason seldom becomes the entire point of your being. #moodoftheday #adnansiddiqui

A post shared by Adnan Siddiqui (@adnansid1) on May 15, 2018 at 8:09am PDT

“By keeping quiet you’re encouraging the culprit to continue with what he does,” he continued.

“If today god forbid it’s you, tomorrow it would be someone else. What pains me is that still there’s a major section of women that don’t speak up.”

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The hub of New York, Times Square – you've got so many people passing through here, so many cultures interacting and of course mind blowing billboards. Pictures taken here can’t go wrong. #timessquare #nyc #instafun . Picture by omer @r.u.media👍

A post shared by Adnan Siddiqui (@adnansid1) on Aug 8, 2018 at 3:06am PDT

He ended his note by saying that women are the future, and therefore need to be empowered.

“Instead of putting allegations on them, trolling them, we must be empathetic towards them. Help them heal. Help them come out in the open and nab the culprits. Help the world become free of any abuse and harassment. Women are the torch bearers of tomorrow. ”

People were glad to see someone in the industry make such a statement

Good man; Adnan Siddiqui

— اُمامہ واجد (@UmamahWZia) October 7, 2018

Some remembered his performance in the film MOM

People had a whole new set of reasons to love him 

There were comments that said that such statements and actions are necessary to make

Then, there were comments that TOTALLY missed the mark 

Some feel this might be an attempt to save face, preemptively.

Lol I hope Adnan Siddiqui’s wife speaks up about his abuse stories and other women in the industry too!

One of the way to identify predators, they first show you support SHEEPISHLY #metoo pic.twitter.com/6u6Wnrfv3Q

— Aisha Randhawa (@HariMirchein) October 7, 2018

It’s an interesting way of looking at things. All we can hope is that this is not the case. Every victim of harassment and abuse deserves to be heard, no matter who their harasser/abuser is.

Our film industry is one that hasn’t really spoken up against harassment, except for a few. Adnan Siddiqui is one of the very few men that has joined the voices that want a safer public space for all women.

Such statements and such demands aren’t just necessary from men, they are required by all members of society because we all need to work together to create a better environment.

It is important that the discourse surrounding sexual harassment and safe spaces goes on. It is great to see Adnan Siddiqui take this step, here’s hoping more people in the film industry do the same and join the fight for a better world.

How do you feel about Mr. Siddiqui’s statement?

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Cover image via tvone.pk