Pakistanis have taken to social media to show love and support for Indians, who are currently going through a severe outbreak of COVID that has impacted many.
When a rivalry of any kind is globally known, the rest of the world constantly anticipates any event where they can see both or all parties butting heads to see who emerges as the victor. In India and Pakistan’s case, our rivalry spans across every single field over the 73 years since the Partition. Oftentimes we do this with little to no regard for what exactly we’re competing on.
What are we if our patriotism doesn’t jump out full force when it comes to competing against India, right?
Woh toh dunyaa idhar de udhar hojaae, humein buss India se aagay nikalnaa hai.
Currently, India is going through a severe outbreak of COVID-19 cases where the country saw a record high of more than 300,000 cases in a single day.
Hospitals in various cities across the country are now experiencing shortages of oxygen supplies and beds for new patients. The situation is so dire that COVID-19 patients have to sleep on pavements and are dying in the streets (literally) and in ambulances.
The footage that is being shown on the news is heartbreaking; desperate families pleading for help and even Indian law enforcement asking Muslims to pray the situation in the country gets better.
This isn't a movie clip,
Its India right now, Dear Pakistanis pray for Indians because that's what The Messenger of Allah SAWW teach us 💔#pakistanstandwithindia#EndiaSaySorryToKashmir pic.twitter.com/3qK6Ml9OH7— Memes By Zayn 🥶 (@MemesByZayn) April 24, 2021
This time, Pakistanis put aside the competitive spirit and chose that of humanity instead.
Taking to social media, they’re not only showing love and support for Indians during the COVID-19 emergency but are appealing to PM Imran Khan to try and help our neighbor (yes, neighbor! Not rival!) however possible.
For years we have hated each other, but today as people in India are in a crisis i request you to please put aside the hate, fill your heart with love and pray. May Allah ease their pain.
Sachay dil se ki gayi dua mein bohat asar hota hai.#pakistanstandwithindia #PrayForIndia pic.twitter.com/3E7dkKr8fr
— Abdal Mufti (@MuftiAbdal) April 24, 2021
Edhi Foundation has also sent a letter to Narendra Modi, stating that they are ready to send 50 of their ambulances to the country to provide much-needed assistance.
Here are some of the tweets under the hashtag #IndiaNeedsOxygen, in which Pakistanis have shared messages of support (trigger warning: some images and footage may be distressing to the viewers).
I join thousands of Pakistani citizens calling on the government to help India with oxygen supplies as their hospitals run out @ImranKhanPTI @fslsltn
Heartening to see #IndiaNeedsOxygen #IndianLivesMatter trend at top in Pakistan. Shows that people have hearts in the right place
— Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) April 22, 2021
I request our government to extend the hands to help people of India in this difficult time. Put our political differences aside.#IndiaNeedsOxygen #IndianLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/Nw7rrhwki5
— Toramycin (@ihamza_mtq) April 23, 2021
My heart is going for our neighbours #IndiaNeedsOxygen pic.twitter.com/8qlSbI1NZH
— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) April 23, 2021
‘Humanity first’ Edhi Foundation ❤️offers help to India in fight against deadly Covid-19 outbreak , In this hour of need, our best wishes & prayers are with the people of India , Stay Safe & Stay Healthy #IndiaNeedsOxygen pic.twitter.com/QtNCsMzD2p
— Mian Omer 🇵🇰 (@Iam_Mian) April 23, 2021
I request the Government of PAKISTAN to send humanitarian aid to the poor people of India.
We are the ummah of Prophet MUHAMMAD (peace be upon him). Who took care of not only humans but also animals.#IndiaNeedsOxygen#IndianLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/GtU0wZyVT8— Shahid Bhatti🇵🇰 (@MalangChokra) April 22, 2021
Humanity above all, indeed. And the love Pakistanis are showing for India proves that.
Humanity above all. No one deserves to suffer.#WeCantBreathe #IndiaNeedsOxygen #CovidIndia https://t.co/o834nBiotj
— Wajahat Kazmi 🇵🇰 (@KazmiWajahat) April 23, 2021
May Allah bless and help Indian people 🙏#IndiaNeedsOxygen pic.twitter.com/mQU3Rvbkh1
— AYàń KHàń (@ayankhano07) April 23, 2021
#IndiaNeedsOxygen
It was heartbreaking to hear of the current Corona situation in #IndiaNeedsOxygen.
No matter how many differences we have, we are all one for humanity and we pray to ALLAH to have mercy on all the people living in India.#WeCantBreathe pic.twitter.com/759XguBG91— Shahid Bhatti🇵🇰 (@MalangChokra) April 23, 2021
Extremely sad to see this, May Allah bless all human beings and protect us all from this pandemic.
If they request help from Pakistan then we should help!@ImranKhanPTI#IndiaNeedsOxygen#IndianLivesMatter #COVIDEmergency2021 #India pic.twitter.com/KuSzYs5eOV— طلعت کاشف (@Talat_guardian) April 22, 2021
Some astute observers even pointed out that if both governments focused more on their healthcare systems rather than armament and defense against each other, we would see significant changes in our situations.
Sad to say but if both of these nations have worked upon their health structure more than defence, the situation might be different.#IndiaNeedsOxygen #lockdown #WeCantBreathe pic.twitter.com/6zZygUVTEU
— Ammar Hashmi (@kehdayhashmi) April 23, 2021
The solidarity on Pakistani social media for Indians going through this severe outbreak of #COVIDEmergency2021. I wish our governments understood we needed better healthcare and not nukes.
— Saadia Ahmed (@khwamkhwah) April 23, 2021
Some Pakistani celebrities even stepped in to tweet messages of support.
Gut-wrenching visuals from India – the Covid crisis is deepening. Sending prayers that the nation comes out of this.
Please, everyone, mask up. Don't let the idea that we're vaccinated (or going to be soon) allow you to let your guard down.
Observe all SOPs. Save lives.— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) April 23, 2021
We, as a nation, pray for our neighbours India to recover from this difficult time. All our love & prayers. 🤲🏽♥️ #PakistanStandsWithIndia
— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) April 24, 2021
Tragic & devastating. Prayers for India. May Allah have mercy on all
pic.twitter.com/MI0zAylpv2— Humayun Saeed (@iamhumayunsaeed) April 24, 2021
As wholesome as it is to see, it’s also very telling about how one should act towards another in dire situations. Hashtags like #PakistanStandsWithIndia and #PrayForIndia were also trending in Pakistan.
This Just Broke my Heart 🖤💔
May ALLAH Protect All Indian's This Virus 😔🥺My special Sympathies with Indian's Brothers or sisters 🌸🌸
Be Strong :))#indianeedoxygen#pakistanstandwithindia#PrayForIndia pic.twitter.com/xm1gafXwmG— Kiran 🐝🖤 (: Yī sī lā mǐ·bèi hàn🧕:) (@KiranNaseer11) April 24, 2021
There is no higher religion than human service. …#PrayForIndia pic.twitter.com/UQmuZwfYXe
— Na Eem (@KoondharNaeem) April 24, 2021
For Pakistanis to put aside the longstanding differences between themselves and Indians to offer support and help, it’s a rare sight but also exactly how everyone should act in times like this.
The pandemic is affecting all of us. It doesn’t look at who we are and where we’re from, and during this time, we shouldn’t be either. Hopefully, this serves as an example for other countries and even to both us and India for the future.
If you want to be more active in helping out Indians through their COVID-19 emergency, head over to our IG stories to have a look at some resources and ways you could do so.
We send our hearts out to India and all those going through this horrible situation and pray they get through these horrible times. And for all those reading this – stay at home, follow all SOPs, wear a mask, and please take care of yourself and others around you.
Asad Umar Has Spoken Up About The Spread Of COVID-19 In Pakistan And People Are Worried
Cover image via (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)