After Meesha Shafi’s allegation of sexual harassment against Ali Zafar a very important conversation has started. While the issue between the two celebrities might have become muddied by name-calling, victim-blaming and all the teaming up of people on either side unwilling to understand what actually might have gone, the conversation around sexual harassment that Meesha has started is important because how it allows countless people who have always felt scared of coming forward against their abusers.
Pakistanis all over the internet aren’t hesitating to add their two cents about the situation unfolding between Meesha Shafi and Ali Zafar
After Ali’s denial of Meesha’s claims and saying that he will take Ms. Shafi to court, the matter has become contentious. However, more women have been coming forward and confirming that Ali Zafar harassed them too.
As part of Pakistan's entertainment industry for more than a decade, I can assure you if other women in Pakistan Entertainment industry starts to come out with their stories, there will be < 10% men left to work with. #MeeshaShafi #AliZafar
— M. Sarosh Ebrahim (@msarosh) April 19, 2018
I think the entire industry knew this but they were as usual protecting their own #alizafar #meeshashafi
— Mbano (@Mbano) April 19, 2018
Good to see @ZaraHatKay_Dawn discussing #metoo campaign with special mention to the #MeeshaShafi brave act, I request please raise the issue of sexual harassment of Polio workers, because they face the worst from male coworkers, support officers, and others. #Pakistan
— Anwar Ali Arqam (@aliarqam) April 19, 2018
Hamza Ali Abbasi, the ever vocal commentator on matters all and sundry, couldn’t contain himself and thus tweeted a “random thought” on the conversation of harassment
Random thought: With this entire #MeToo global epidemic on the rise, I am beginning to realise that ISLAM was right all along when it ordains gap between the 2 genders. So called modernism has brought us to a point where the line between flirting & harassment is insanely blurred.
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) April 20, 2018
FOR EXAMPLE: The man flirts, the woman doesn't tell him she is feeling uncomfortable, maybe he is in a position of power or other reasons, the man takes it as consent, the woman years later comes out saying she got harassed & the guy keeps thinking he just flirted with consent! https://t.co/muXaEZCH6b
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) April 20, 2018
In any case, #MeToo is a very serious issue globally no matter whose side you are on. Ahh, only if we (including me) listen to what Quran said 1400 yrs ago "Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (not look at a woman with lust) and guard their modesty" QURAN 24:30
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) April 20, 2018
I am not justifying men here neither justifying silence as consent, i am just saying how things are getting so blurred & so easily prone to manipulation! Easy liberal hawks… Easy! 🙂 https://t.co/UsZsU0gdrs
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) April 20, 2018
Boy, that was rant, if I’ve ever seen one.
Aur Hamza ke saath hua wohi jo sab ko pata hai, he started getting trolled for a rant that sounds like he’s apparently victim-blaming
Hamza ali Abbasi nay bhi apni Muddabiraana raye de di hai 🙂 ?
— Asad Tanveer (@Asad_slapstick) April 20, 2018
Hamza Ali Abbasi has always managed to stay on the wrong side. Mashallah what consistency.
— Shumail (@Shumyl) April 20, 2018
It took a while, but Hamza Ali Abbasi is back on the scene with a chutya opinion on the issue of the day. We've got all the hits! The Me Too "epidemic", ISLAM in all caps, "So called" modernism. Hamza Ali Abbasi, coming to an aneurysm near you! https://t.co/V6tA7KASTt
— Ali H. Abbasi (@themaholupper) April 20, 2018
People were pointing out inconsistencies in Hamza’s argument
Hamza Ali Abbasi’s tweet makes zero sense. He mentions Islam is right to ordain “gap between two genders”, but then goes on a massive rant trying to convince us that flirting (even if the girl has expressed discomfort) is halal and a-okay. Yeh kaunsa Islam hai??
— Haleema Khan (@haleemak_) April 20, 2018
What about a Mullah secluded only in a male mosque, doing this to innocent children? Segregation worsens the problem.
P.S: Aamir liaquat and Hamza Ali Abbasi are the worst possible things that could happen to the intellectual discourse of Pakistan. https://t.co/eqXsDoljKf
— Danish Zaidi (@syedmdz) April 20, 2018
And pointing out the hypocrisy in his words and actions
– Does Hamza Ali Abbasi, himself, ever comply with the words he utter every now and then? #JustWondering
— Israr (@IsrarAwan) April 20, 2018
Hamza Ali Abbasi trying to preach about the “gap between 2 genders” pic.twitter.com/ZOt6lI04G2
— S. (@saneschizo_) April 20, 2018
Hamza ali abbasi ko islam ko her bat me ghaseetnay ka bara shouq he, or actually yahan sab haaji wo hn jo andr se harami hn
— Nautanki Pundit (@JonnyPundit) April 20, 2018
Agha Hamza Ali Abbasi contemplating about the gap between two genders ordained by ISLAM. pic.twitter.com/SfuDakc32i
— Ali Salman Alvi (@alisalmanalvi) April 20, 2018
And of course, there were the regular ol’ jokes on helping Hamza understand the matter from a victim’s point of view
Should we start a GoFundMe for Hamza Ali Abbasi's Primary Education?
— Husn Hai Suhana (@Fatmounh) April 20, 2018
There should be a drinking game based on how many times Hamza Ali Abbasi gives an uneducated opinion on things. https://t.co/iCi3tfObBk
— Alice (@someaningless) April 20, 2018
Somebody made a very interesting observation about Hamza’s rant
Hamza Ali Abbasi stealing the thunder away from #MeeshaShafi #AliZafar and #MeToo — mission accomplished.
— fjord (@tweeterRaani) April 20, 2018
Oh and if you thought Hamza bhai was done, he ended his uhhh…. rant… for now, at least, by adding a plug for a colleague’s film
Amid all controversies, when you find time, PLEASE GO WATCH "Motorcycle Girl". Saw it last night & LOVEDDDD every second of it. Zenith Irfan is a worthy role model for our young girls. Please promote this film so we can look forward to such movies with substance & inspiration.
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) April 20, 2018
Wondering of that’s what he wanted to do all along by getting people’s attention? ?
Khair, what do you think about Hamza’s opinion on the matter of harassment, in general? We want to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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Cover image via: Six Sigma Plus