Tag: social media

  • Lorde speaks out for Gaza, praises Palestinian singer who covered ‘Team’

    Lorde speaks out for Gaza, praises Palestinian singer who covered ‘Team’

    Grammy award winning singer Lorde has spoken out against the genocide of Gaza by encouraging her followers to protest for a ceasefire. The death toll from Israeli air strikes reached 9000 after a school in Northen Gaza was bombed, killing 20 people taking shelter there.

    Lorde shared screenshots of the protests taking place in cities across New Zealand, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

    She further shared a screenshot of an open letter signed by Jewish public figures including ‘Barbie’ actress Hari Nef and filmmaker Emma Siegelman, which condemned equating criticism of Israel to antisemitism.

    Lorde also shared a video of the viral Palestinian-American singer Nemah Hasan, who was dropped by her label for calling for an end to Israel’s oppression of Israel. In the caption, the ‘Royals’ singer wrote that she was moved by Nemah singing her song ‘Team’ to highlight the Palestinian cause:

    “I was so incredibly moved by this poignant piece. I have been frozen in grief and shock. I’m aware of the dissonance between my thoughts and the words I am able to form. I am so grateful to my Palestinian sister for reminding me why I make art- it speaks when I cannot. It fills spaces where words are inadequate. She speaks through me; I speak through her.”

    Nemah, who goes by her stage name nemasis, shared this clip to write how moved she was by Lorde’s appreciation which felt like a reward after being told to remain silent on Palestine by others.

    “after being dropped by my new label for speaking up against the occupation of my homeland Palestine i was insecure. it was suggested to cooling down the pro-Palestinian posts. i didn’t stop. i kept going. i had nothing left to lose & i’m so happy i didn’t give into the pressure.”

  • ‘She knew what she was doing’: Twitter users outraged at Kim Kardashian’s insensitive Halloween costume

    ‘She knew what she was doing’: Twitter users outraged at Kim Kardashian’s insensitive Halloween costume

    Kim Kardashian is once more going viral for all the wrong reasons. The reality TV star was publicly criticised for her vocal support for Israel a few weeks ago as well as her ongoing silence on the genocide in Gaza which has now claimed close to 9000 civilian lives.

    Kim posted pictures of her family celebrating Halloween, where her sons were seen dressed as injured football stars with bruises and bandages.

    Twitter users were outraged, pointing out that the costumes bore an uncanny resemblance to photos of injured Palestinian children in football jerseys. Approximately 4000 children have been killed, as per the Gaza Ministry of Health.

    “Isn’t scary to think that an actual child in Gaza actually looks like this now? But sure Kim have fun this Halloween…” a user commented.

    “even if it wasn’t intentional, how many braincells do you need to read the room when social media is flooded with bloodied and broken children’s bodies stop looking up to these brain dead celebrities.” Another user posted.

  • ‘This is so sad’: Armeena Khan calls for end to Afghan refugees deportation

    ‘This is so sad’: Armeena Khan calls for end to Afghan refugees deportation

    Pakistani actress Armeena Khan has called for an end to the deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Armeena wrote:

    “It would be CRIMINAL of me not to talk about 1.7 million Afghans who are being displaced from Pakistan, their homes being bull dozed. This is absolutely vile! How can we treat them this way? I cannot talk about Gaza without talking about the plight of the Afghans. This is so sad.”

    When a user tried to school her, Armeena slammed him on the double standards of Pakistanis who are protesting for a Free Palestine but on the other hand, are pushing Afghan refugees out of their country.

    “People like you are no different than the war mongering factions of the Israelites. Two sides of the same coin. Spare the Palestinians your hypocrisy. The Pakistani Afghans are also your Muslim brothers and sisters.”

    Veteran actress and model Iffat Omar also joined in by sharing a picture of a boy stranded on a truck and writing in the caption “This is really heart breaking.”

  • Vogue Arabia pays homage to the frontliners of Gaza

    Vogue Arabia pays homage to the frontliners of Gaza

    For its November issue, Vogue Arabia paid tribute to the journalists and doctors of Gaza who are fighting to save countless lives during Israeli air strikes. Since the war began on October 7, close to 9000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel, including 3000 children.

    “Dedicated to the brave doctors, nurses, and reporters in Gaza,” the statement read. “The issue pays homage to their heroic commitment as they implement vital work amid inhuman conditions. The cover also features traditional hand-embroidery from different regions of Palestine, in an ode to its culture and a further appeal for humanity.”

    The statement further said the current crisis in Gaza can be called one of the biggest disasters in history “and a failure shared by all.” It urged audiences to raise their voices “putting pressure on governments and international organizations to find a peaceful solution to stop the violence. This should be a global effort, regardless of our ethnicity or religion.”

    The people honoured in the cover are photographer Motaz Azaiza, journalist Plestia Alaqad, Youmna El-Qunsol, Doctors Ghassan Abu-Sittah and Mohammed Al Ghoula.

    For the cover of the issue, Vogue Arabia used a cloth featuring traditional Palestinian embroidery called tatreez.

    Explaining the significance of the fabric, the publication elaborated on how this design emerged in Palestine as well as the significance it holds within the culture.

    “The fabric seen on the issue is covered in an embroidery also known as tatreez, which originated in Palestine 3,000 years ago, and has since carried a deep meaning in the region,” the article explained. “It is also popular in other Levantine countries like Jordan, with each nation presenting some changes in the embroidery pattern. Over centuries, the skill has been passed on by women as an inter-generational practice and used as a means to tell the story of Palestine and its people. Each nuance in color and pattern denotes everything, from the region the wearer is from, to personal milestones including social and marital status. In 2021, the United Nations cultural agency (Unesco) also added tatreez to its Intangible Cultural Heritage List.”

    Palestinian designer Zaid Farouki was consulted for Vogue Arabia’s cover. He acted as a cultural advisor and used different motifs from cities across Palestine to be represented on the cover.

    The tatreez was popularised when public figures like Queen Rania of Jordan wore the fabric on several occasions. In 2018, Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib, the first American legislator of Palestinian origin, made history as the first Palestinian and one of the two Muslim women elected to the Congress. She was seen wearing the traditional tatreez which was embroided by her mother.

  • Senate of Pakistan stands with the people of Gaza, demands immediate ceasefire

    Senate of Pakistan stands with the people of Gaza, demands immediate ceasefire

    In a resolute effort to address the dire situation in Gaza, the Senate of Pakistan has passed a resolution, urging the Muslim Ummah to actively intervene and provide urgent assistance to innocent Muslims caught in the crossfire of the Gaza-Israel conflict.

    The resolution, tabled by Senator Irfan Siddiqui, highlighted the collective silence of the Muslim world, emphasizing the need for immediate action to curb the escalating violence.

    During the impassioned debate, Senator Siddiqui expressed disappointment over the lack of proactive measures from influential organizations like the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), urging them to stand up to Israel.

    He underscored the stark contrast between the vast geographic expanse of Muslim-populated lands and the Israeli state, yet the discrepancy in action remained striking.

    During his address to the Senate session, Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani raised concerns about the broadening extent of Israeli attacks, encompassing the West Bank and other areas, and expressed alarm regarding the loss of lives resulting from continued bombardments in Gaza strip and beyond.

    Jilani highlighted that the United Nations has compared Gaza to a “graveyard” due to the substantial loss of life.

    Mushahid Hussain Sayed took to X (former Twitter) and said, “Drafted unanimous resolution passed by Senate of Pakistan regarding GazaGenocide! Took a strong position reflecting full, unwavering & unconditional on supporting Palestine & beleaguered children, women & men of Gaza!”

    Office of the Chairman Senate’s account tweeted, “I, strongly condemn the reprehensible airstrike on Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp by Israeli Terrorists. The senseless and barbaric act of taking innocent women and children’s lives is a horrific atrocity that shocks the conscience of humanity.”

    Moreover, Senator Saadia Abbasi and Nisar Ahmed Khuhro emphasized Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Palestine, condemning the establishment of the state of Israel as illegal and underscoring the historical context of Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian cause.

    Senator Hafiz Abdul Kareem made his speech in Arabic, after obtaining special permission granted by the Chairman of the Senate.

    Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan made a speech to appreciate the people of Hamas and Gaza.

    Their unified voices condemned the ongoing violence as nothing short of the systematic genocide of the Palestinian people.

    The resolution was supported by a heartfelt speech delivered in Arabic by Senator Hafiz Abdul Kareem, condemning the atrocities committed by Israel.

    Additionally, senators urged the expulsion of Israeli diplomats from Islamic countries, expressing the belief that such a move could pave the way for the resolution of the Palestine issue.

    Amidst the session, the Senate Chairman emphasized the significance of preserving the resolution in the Senate records, solidifying Pakistan’s commitment to the cause.

    The senators called for increased financial and humanitarian aid to be extended to the embattled people of Palestine.

    In a gesture of solidarity, Senator Ahmed Omar Ahmadzai strongly denounced the killing of innocent civilians and children in Gaza, emphasizing the need for active protection from Muslim countries.

    Saleem Mandviwalla commended the Turkish President’s support for the Palestinian people, while Muhammad Qasim highlighted the alarming scale of the atrocities perpetrated against the Palestinians, labeling it as nothing short of genocide.

    This resolution serves as a testament to Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and its commitment to seeking justice and peace for the affected people of Gaza.

  • ‘Show more mercy’: Sanam Saeed calls for Pakistani government to stop deporting Afghan refugees

    ‘Show more mercy’: Sanam Saeed calls for Pakistani government to stop deporting Afghan refugees

    The Pakistani government is set to deport more than 90,000 Afghan refugees by November 1, prompting protests among civil rights activists. Actors, too, are condemning the expulsion. Viral videos show Afghan children in tears as they say goodbye to their friends, expressing sadness over being deported.

    Actress Sanam Saeed has appealed to the government of Pakistan asking that in light of circumstances around the world, Pakistanis must extend their kindness to people seeking shelter in this country.

    “Deporting refugees who seek shelter here will not make our fundamental issues go away. It looks like we are deflecting blame from challenges that the govt or the country overall is facing. At a time like this in the world right now, we need to show more mercy.”

    Veteran actress Nadia Jamil expressed her outrage over a post showing how Afghan children were taken to court and treated as criminals. She shared Osman Khalid Butt’s post and wrote “Statelessness. Their crime is their families Afghan refugee past. Most of them were born here.”

    Columnist Fatima Bhutto shared a video of an Afghan child tearfully saying goodbye to his classmates as he was set to be deported. In the caption she wrote:
    “This is just wrong of Pakistan. It’s inhumane. We must protect the Afghan refugees of this country and allow them a chance to rebuild their lives.”

  • Martin Luther King’s daughter schooling Amy Schumer over her Islamophobia is the treat the internet deserves

    Martin Luther King’s daughter schooling Amy Schumer over her Islamophobia is the treat the internet deserves

    Comedian Amy Schumer has been consistently critcised by social media users for her pro-Israel stance as well her Islamophobic response to the Israeli genocide. On Tuesday night, the internet got a rare, but chef’s kiss treat when her attempt to twist the words of the late American activist Martin Luther King Jr were quickly shut down by no one other than his daughter Bernice King. Seriously, we’d delete our existence if this happens to us.

    Here’s what happened: Amy Schumer tried to make a living out of becoming a genocide cheerleader, posting a video of Martin Luther King speaking about anti-Semitism and its harmful consequences. Schumer tried to play it off as proof that he supported the creation of Israel. Bernice King, the daughter of King and an activist herself, stepped in to remind her that Martin remained anti-military his entire life. His response, Bernice tweeted to Amy, would have been to call for a ceasefire.

    “Certainly, my father was against antisemitism, as am I. He also believed militarism (along with racism and poverty) to be among the interconnected Triple Evils. I am certain he would call for Israel’s bombing of Palestinians to cease, for hostages to be released…”

    When the daughter of THE Martin Luther King Jr tells you not to spread propaganda in his name, we think it’s best to just stop. The internet was overjoyed at witnessing the schooling.

    the daughter of THE Martin Luther King Jr tells you not to spread propaganda under her name, we think it’s best to not be on that side. The internet was overjoyed to witness this schooling.

    “Bernice A. King defending her father’s legacy from Amy Schumer is the one of the best uno reverse moves I’ve seen this year.”

    “The way uninformed, ignorant, stupid people force this woman to defend her father’s legacy is so disgusting. Like, can y’all pick someone OTHER than MLK to lecture us about since you’re obviously too lazy to actually read anything he actually said,” another user wrote

    “Amy Schumer cherry picking Dr Martin Luther King’s words to condone genocide, only for her to be corrected by Dr King’s daughter Bernice, who knows exactly what her father’s message was.”

  • ‘Depression is not being away from God’: Anoushey Ashraf, Zara Noor Abbas encourage followers to recognise mental illness

    ‘Depression is not being away from God’: Anoushey Ashraf, Zara Noor Abbas encourage followers to recognise mental illness

    After the tragic news of Maulana Tariq Jameel’s son passing away in what is being said was suicide, celebrities are urging their followers to recognise the importance of taking care of their mental health. Asim Jameel, the younger son of the Maulana, passed away after shooting himself with a gun at his ancestral home in Tulamba.

    Social media was left heart broken after Yousef Jamil confirmed to the press that his brother Asim had passed away from suicide. Now more public figures like Zara Noor Abbas want people to understand that depression should be recognised as an illness.

    “For all those who say that depression happens because of deen say duri, please take the example of Maulana Tariq Sahab’s son who was suffering from it even though he had a house full of religious activities and his father being such an honoured religious scholar,” the actress penned.

    “Please understand that depression is real like any other illness,” Zara stressed to her followers. “It sucks everything out of you. Please seek help and support for it. My heart goes out to the family of the deceased. May Allah grant him Jannah and peace after all.”

    Actress and VJ Anoushay Ashraf slammed the common assumption that depression happens when people are away from God, and spoke about how it should be recognised as a medical issue.

    “I hope those celebs who unknowingly but hurt fully speak about how depression is being away from Allah (SWT) realise that it’s very much a medical issue. Many troubles and issues in life can perhaps be because of your disconnect with the higher being, I get your viewpoint but depression is a ‘real’ sickness and disease. It’s not being away from God, it’s being ill. Very ill in such cases.”

  • Director Hassan Askari passes away from cancer

    Director Hassan Askari passes away from cancer

    Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un

    Acclaimed Pakistani director Hassan Askari has passed away at the age of 78 in Lahore. He was suffering from cancer and had been admitted to Shaikh Zayed Hospital.

    During his career, Hassan directed more than 60 Punjabi and Urdu films, including the hits Toofan, Salakhain, Sher Dil, Talash, Dil Kisi Ka Dost Nahi, Doorian, Qanoon and Tere Pyar Mein.

    The Pride of Performance winning director was the first filmmaker to introduce the concept of the popular Punjabi hero Maula Jatt and his gandasa with his film Wehshi Jatt (1974), years before Maula Jatt was adapted on the big screen.

    Speaking about Askari’s demise, Punjab Minister of Information and Culture Amir Mir expressed sorrow while acknowledging his services for the Pakistani film industry. He said Hassan Askari had directed many phenomenal films during his career and no one else in the industry could compete with him.

    Secretary Information and Culture Daniyal Gillani offered condolences on the in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) writing:

    “Saddened to hear about the passing of the legendary film producer, director, and writer Muhammad Hassan Askari. His contributions to Urdu and Punjabi cinema, with classics like “Salakhain,” “Wahshi Jutt,” and many more, will always be remembered. His legacy will continue to inspire many in the world of cinema. Allah darjaat buland farmaye. Ameen!”

    Director of the crime thriller film ‘Javed Iqbal’ Abu Aleeha expressed his sorrow on the passing of Hassan Askari on his X account.

  • ‘You call yourself a philanthropist?’: Twitter users roast Selena Gomez over tone-deaf view on Gaza genocide

    ‘You call yourself a philanthropist?’: Twitter users roast Selena Gomez over tone-deaf view on Gaza genocide

    Hollywood actress and singer Selena Gomez was slammed by social media users online after her neutral take on the ongoing Gaza genocide. Al-Jazeera reports that intense bombing continue to target Gaza with the death toll already crossing 8000 including more than 3000 children.

    Selena, whose Instagram following stands at 430 million, shared a statement on her stories writing she was heartbroken to witness the horror, naming neither Palestine nor Israel:

    “I’ve been taking a break from social media because my heart breaks to see all of the horror, hate, violence and terror that’s going on in the world. People being tortured and killed or any act of hate towards any one group is horrific. We need to protect all people, especially children and stop the violence for good.”

    The last comment, “I wish I could change the world. But a post won’t,” triggered outrage.

    “selena gomez is being so stupid right now. she is downplaying her massive following and being hypocritical. if a post can’t help change the world why call yourself a philanthropist?? why post about mental health, blm, womens rights, american elections etc etc” a user wrote.

    Many compared the ‘Only Murders In The Building’ actor’s response to the Ukraine war to this, criticising her for not considering brown lives as important as white ones.

    Others criticised the actress for responding in the same tone-deaf manner in 2016 when she was criticised over her silence on the Black Lives Matter protests.

    Many criticised the statement for being incredibly tone-deaf, pointing out the actress was privileged enough to take a break from social media during the genocide but people in Gaza couldn’t turn away from the violence.