Fasih Ahmed works as an editor for Newsweek Pakistan. And he has landed himself in a controversy by outraging the public.
He decide to join the bandwagon of critics of the society but in his own unique manner (or, giving him the benefit of the doubt, what we think is an attempt at critique).
The Zainab rape case has urged many to speak up and push for action. Surely a master of words crafted this tweet:
The sexual abuse of children will always exist. You can never eliminate it. Sometimes it leads to great art. So there’s also that.
— Fasih Ahmed (@therealfasih) January 23, 2018
When asked what he was trying to suggest, Fasih Ahmed replied
The outrage won’t last because people are assholes. Child molestation was ok before MeToo and it will be ok again. We’ll pretend it doesn’t happen. I don’t think I was being subtle about it
— Fasih Ahmed (@therealfasih) January 23, 2018
A Twitter user then tried to point out that child molestation was never ok but he had an answer to that as well
It was never ok because it was (and will) always lead to denialism. It’ll be ‘Zainab who?’ in a few weeks. Guaranteed
— Fasih Ahmed (@therealfasih) January 23, 2018
You know uncles, servants, teachers, cousins, random shopkeepers hurt boys and girls. Did you report them? Did you have the balls to step out of your denial? This is the cause du jour. Default mode denial is just around the corner. Zainab is not a watershed moment
— Fasih Ahmed (@therealfasih) January 23, 2018
People were also curious about Fasih Ahmed being in his senses
You’re a doctor. And you’re feigning shock. Change fields
— Fasih Ahmed (@therealfasih) January 23, 2018
or if his account was hacked?
Has Fasih Ahmed’s account been hacked? Or is he having a bad trip/meltdown? Disturbing
— Talat Aslam (@titojourno) January 23, 2018
After it was disclosed that the person who raped Zainab was a neighbor and someone the family trusted, Fasih tweeted
Attempting to see the bright side?
This dark side has always existed. Traction now because we’ve played out other points of outrage. If you think this will ever stop, think again
— Fasih Ahmed (@therealfasih) January 23, 2018
Child sexual abuse has always happened, is happening, and will always continue. Two days of outrage on Twitter and participating in a 10-person vigil may make you feel so noble but that’s all just about you, not those who’ve been victimized
— Fasih Ahmed (@therealfasih) January 23, 2018
Rape by a straight guy makes it alright?
Rape by, say, Obama is rape. Rape by, say, Tom Cruise is everyone’s dream come true. All subjective
— Fasih Ahmed (@therealfasih) January 23, 2018
People have been calling out Newsweek as well to point out these tweets and comment about the environment at the workplace
Hello @Newsweek – are you ok with the editor of your #Pakistan edition @therealfasih saying this after the rape and murder of a 7yo girl in #Pakistan? h/t @merabichrayaar pic.twitter.com/10bFtUiUIa
— Mona Eltahawy (@monaeltahawy) January 23, 2018
Newsweek Pakistan cant be a safe place for women while this man is the boss. Women working there must take self-defence classes & buy pepper sprays pic.twitter.com/MRFKDL12Vl
— faraz (@faraz_lhr) January 23, 2018
Hey, @NewsweekPak, one of your editors is making rape jokes on Twitter and fantasizing about getting dicked by Tom Cruise. Sort him out. https://t.co/WoU1eNCxJ7
— j. (@Jaweriyaa) January 23, 2018
So, if we’re going by our “benefit of the doubt” theory, here’s what we think could be the case:
Fasih, very sarcastically and with the help of what many would like to call “dark humor”, is pointing out everything that is wrong with the society. He efficiently points out that just because one case gets highlighted, it does not mean that we have solved anything. We will find the next topic to talk about and forget about this one. Where he says that child molestation was not wrong before, he means that we deny such occurrences. No one can deny that we do that. At the same time, homophobia is also quite prevalent in the society. He uses this incident to point out that at least the guy was straight, which is how we like our people to be.
Yes, this isn’t necessarily how we talk about issues. But hey, the dude is a writer and knows how to hit just the right spot with his words.
But at the same time, what can’t be denied is that the “attempt” at humor may be very ill-timed. Or it may just be a good ol’ meltdown. Watch this space for more when (or if) he clarifies what he really was doing with that tweet-storm.
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Update
This post has mistakenly been interpreted as a defense of Fasih Ahmed’s remarks. It is not that and here’s a clarification for our respected readers:
Newsweek Pakistan Editor’s Disgusting “Joke” About Zainab’s Rape Is NOT Justifiable. At All
Pakistanis Are Demanding A Ban On Sahir Lodhi For Sexualizing Young Girls On His Show
Mahira Made A Powerful Statement Regarding Zainab’s Murder And You Will Definitely Agree With Her