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Actor Ushna Shah calls out Pakistani showbiz on its hypocrisy in Ramazan

Actor Ushna Shah calls out Pakistani showbiz on its hypocrisy in Ramazan

Shah wrote an open letter that criticises actors for faking religiosity and cashing in on Ramazan transmissions
Updated 28 May, 2017

"For some, this is a holy month of prayer, discipline and ablution. For others, it's the month of selling Islam and being a shameless hypocrite."

Actor Ushna Shah has penned down an open letter on Facebook, in which she calls out her fellow members of Pakistani showbiz for cashing in on Ramazan transmissions on Pakistani television while failing to embody the values preached by Islam for the rest of the year.

Without naming any names, Shah writes, "Many people will pretend to be someone they are not for a mere 30 days to cash in on this holy month, I may not keep all my fasts or say all my prayers, but I sure as hell won't disrespect Islam and the millions of people fasting and truly abiding by the faith by pretending to do so just to gain the respect and the money I do not deserve."

Ushna Shah's open letter
Ushna Shah's open letter

The Bashar Momin star says that she has observed these double standards in "the same directors who have hit on me and not given me work because some other actress gave in" and other people who have deliberately tried to hurt her or damage her career.

Writing about her women contemporaries in particular, she says, "I have zero respect for the veil [donning] Virgin Marys who make millions off [Ramazan] transmission by preaching the word of God on Iftar shows and become tutti fruitties a month later."

At the close of her letter, she adds a postscript to clarify that "I am not targeting people who truly believe in the spirit of Islam, I'm targeting the hypocrites [who] fake it every year for either pseudo respect or money."

In another postscript in the comments section, she clarified that her words weren't directed towards Momina Mustehsan, who lent her voice to Qaseeda Burda Shareef for A-Plus' Ramazan transmission this year. "Momina Mustehsan someone asked if this status [referred] to [you], I JUST saw [your] song. [Your] highlighter is on point and you're a sweetheart all year round, so no," she wrote.

Shah's open letter was well-received by some of her peers in showbiz.

Writer/actor Osman Khalid Butt commented, "Ushna for President! Lao you, you straight-talking BS-repellant Barbarella!" while photographer Zara Tareen said, "I will finally allow my mother to call you her daughter without any hesitation." Actor Ayaz Samoo and model Rabia Butt also wrote words of appreciation.

Comments

ZEB May 28, 2017 03:24pm
"I may not keep all my fasts or say all my prayers" that pretty much takes away your right on calling others hypocrites. I believe your whining is more because of jealousy than an awakening of conscious.
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guzni May 28, 2017 03:34pm
Very well described. Tend to agree with her.
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AHMed May 28, 2017 03:38pm
Finally ! Someone speaks about this madness
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TN May 28, 2017 03:44pm
She is true. Unfortunately we commercialize our religion. The other religions really do not celebrate their religious event in such a commercial way.
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Katy May 28, 2017 03:57pm
Beautiful - awesome - honest thoughts!
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RK May 28, 2017 04:00pm
Another Showbiz Shah making us proud.
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zaheer May 28, 2017 04:17pm
Thanks to our private channels who have made actors, players and blue eyed people a Muslim scholars and lone Muslim in Pakistan. I appreciate Ushna Shah for her bold step against all odds as hypocrisy has become the criteria for success in every field.
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MANSOOR May 28, 2017 04:28pm
Exactly right and well said!!!!
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Salman May 28, 2017 04:35pm
So truthful she is! I have already asked my family not to waste precious time in front of TV to watch special Ramadan transmission which is mostly full of nonsense.
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Kalim mirZA ki dulhaniya May 28, 2017 04:43pm
She is right
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Thoroughthinker May 28, 2017 04:47pm
This is a good expression of an actor finding herself on a perplexing cross road. You cannot eat jaggery and restrain others to do so!
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Farhan May 28, 2017 04:49pm
Spot on !!
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MG May 28, 2017 05:19pm
She is cute
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naseem May 28, 2017 05:25pm
@Farhan She is absolutely right. The more we pretend to be pious, the more cruel and corrupt are people are becoming
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SARA May 28, 2017 05:30pm
Bravo! Have always felt the same way but not expecting this from a lady in our media who has really shown the courage to speak the truth. lots of respect for you Ushna...
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ZAHID May 28, 2017 05:39pm
completely agree with her
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nasr May 28, 2017 05:42pm
Since last year the I have stopped even thinking about watching TV shows during Ramdan. It was such a shame to see people fighting and vying for all kinds of worldly benefits in the forms of various games some of which were very cheap and degrading.
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Wasif May 28, 2017 05:44pm
Bravo girl
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SAEED MASOOD May 28, 2017 06:05pm
This girl is brave and hundred percent right, this nonsense of putting on white cloths and a pajama and a topi and becoming a saint in the month of Ramadan should be banned on the TV shows.
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Desi May 28, 2017 06:26pm
@TN not true. Christmas is a mega shopping event. Billions of dollars are spent for just one day
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Sameer May 28, 2017 06:32pm
Honest and pretty. Rare qualities to find together.
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ukasha rajpoot May 28, 2017 06:38pm
Everybody makes money on all religious, cultural and regional festivities around the world. That's how it goes. Do not target one group. See what they are doing, if its not bad let them do it. If you think masses are being taken advantage of, too bad its their own fault.
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YaSir May 28, 2017 06:55pm
Hats off to ushna shah who has speak out loud about the double standards of these hypocrites. Shameless people have no respect for this holy month n always want to cast money and ratings.
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Alba May 28, 2017 06:57pm
It will not make her popular with others in the acting profession. I think she put her foot in it, with the best of intentions.
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Aamir May 28, 2017 08:48pm
Very well said, the girl has guts to say it. Thumbs up
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Shahid May 28, 2017 08:49pm
I will not complain about them. They are paid actors who play different roles. I believe this is a role they have to play like any other TV program. And they get paid for it. This time "a very pious" girl or a guy. So, this is not hypocrisy to me, it is just another act. Can their role in ramazan program make change in the real life... may be and I pray for them.
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Hyder May 28, 2017 11:47pm
Sir Very true that the Holy month of Ramadan has been turned into money spinning wheel by private channels through half head covered actresses and models turned religious aspirants!!! It is more surprising that all the religious scholars and religious parties are also turning a blind eye towards such Ramadan shows???
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ukz May 29, 2017 12:21am
very thoughtful. Ms shah gave voice to the concerns of millions of muslims in pakistan. Cant agree more. RESPECT.
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Ahmed Ali May 29, 2017 12:26am
Positively absolutely agreed. Hats off for speaking the truth !!! way to go.
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Philosopher (from Japan) May 29, 2017 12:27am
What difference it would be if such transmissions were not televised? A vacuum. At least they pretend to be pious. What is a big deal in it? If a few poor get some gifts or a few get some religious knowledge through those programs what is a matter for you in it? None of your business true?
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Anwar BHOJANI May 29, 2017 01:15am
She is 100% right. TV channels commercialize Ramadan and lost the true spirit and soul of fastings. Thanks A.B Winnipeg,MB CANADA
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Nizamuddin Ahmad AAli May 29, 2017 01:16am
Fake is the word for this. The writer is absolutely right. Sadly fake people get a lot of traction on TV.
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VP May 29, 2017 02:09am
Ushna, Have you been talking to Kangana Ranaut?
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white noise May 29, 2017 03:19am
she is not entirely wrong, Ramadan has become a commercial showcase, nothing about it seems religious on TV anymore, but then I don't watch TV no more, especially Pakistani TV !!!
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Abraham haque May 29, 2017 04:01am
@SAEED MASOOD sir in our language it is Ramzan when did we decide to become Arabs the language is deficient in lot of alphabetic sounds
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AzmeeN May 29, 2017 04:10am
What else she can expect from those in showbiz.
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Aamir May 29, 2017 04:30am
Totally agree. Hats off of you.
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tango tango May 29, 2017 04:33am
They are actors. If you are fooled by their religious act then its your problem. For them its just another day another dime on stage. The show must go on, so what if its ramzan or shaban. If they can do different roles in films then why not on TV. No one complains when an actor plays a cook's or driver's role, so why the fuss on a holy person's role?
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Fida Ahmed Khan May 29, 2017 04:57am
Actor or Actress?
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Imran May 29, 2017 05:17am
the truth spoken and this was already know by majority
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Roz May 29, 2017 06:33am
I respect her thought but who. are we to judge any one let THE creator Decide who is selling islam or bring sad and lonely souls some smile and fun in this bless month
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Ali May 29, 2017 08:41am
True. Most of these anchers do acts contrary to religion, and then in this months, they preach us islam.
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zebswati May 29, 2017 09:15am
Agreed 100% !
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sheema zain May 29, 2017 09:16am
I think shes just jealous who are we to judge whether another is a hypocrite or not. We cant open hearts to see whats inside and religion is of intentions and whats inside not outward appearances Miss Usha. Who do you think you are to pass judgement on others?
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sHABIH UL hASAN May 29, 2017 09:20am
Very well said girl but to me it is not restricted only to showbiz community. Hypocrisy is at very large in every segment of the society. People use befits of their religious looks.
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dr kamran May 29, 2017 09:30am
we as a family was already feeling shame about these transmission in the name of ramadan.
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anis ahmad May 29, 2017 09:34am
@ZEB and the hypocrites come out
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SAfdar May 29, 2017 09:49am
Beauty and brain working together... good...
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Bob May 29, 2017 10:28am
bulls-eye on target
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Barkat Ally May 29, 2017 10:42am
Falshood, pretentions and hypocrites through and through.
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Salih May 29, 2017 11:00am
Thanks USHNA for feeling the pain of hundreds of millions and expressing our views.
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MAli May 29, 2017 11:10am
Ours is not a country of professionalism and merit, look outside your industry, all core industries are corrupt. Ours is not a country of ethics and faith, just look all around you, all pretenders and fakes. My advice to Ushna and the likes and the staunch of faith and the honest and the professional hard workers...ours is not the civilization for you please take birth fifty years later!
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Hameed May 29, 2017 11:24am
a sane voice amid utter maddness
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NASIR sOOMRO May 29, 2017 11:35am
The society is very hypocritical institution,our is no exception.We endorse the fact that we pretend to pious only in month of Ramadan.
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Miss May 29, 2017 11:43am
She is totally right. 100% agreed with her
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zeeshan May 29, 2017 12:03pm
Agreed with you Ushna shah yeah you cant be Preacher of Islam in a month and suddenly after Ramadan all the dupata and sharam o haya is gone and you are tutti fruitties. Shame
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zeeshan May 29, 2017 12:06pm
Please stop watching such channels your boycott will bring the ratings of such channels to decline.
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Shahbaz Azmi May 29, 2017 12:11pm
Usha, thank you for showing the mirror!!!
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A. A. May 29, 2017 12:12pm
Am I the only one who has never heard of this lady? Nonetheless, well said :)
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Srehman May 29, 2017 12:22pm
@ZEB the only whiner here is you ,ushana is absolutely right
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Sami May 29, 2017 12:38pm
She didnt get a job during ramadan transmission
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Parvez May 29, 2017 12:40pm
Second attempt : Nicely said ......the show business people are mostly motivated by money.......and religion was used and always will be used for many things that religion should not be used for.
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zakhta May 29, 2017 12:45pm
@Roz We are the audiences who deserve to witness genuine entertainment and actors on the screen.
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london May 29, 2017 01:05pm
mere truth
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Shahzad May 29, 2017 01:10pm
She is right
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Jamhoor May 29, 2017 01:18pm
@Shahid you missed the whole point.
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ANWAR May 29, 2017 01:20pm
Hypocrisy word is outdated now....I just believe if you don't like something just don't WATCH
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Jamhoor May 29, 2017 01:22pm
@ZEB it doesn't take away her right on calling others hypocrites as she wouldn't be pretending to be a pious atleast. Hyprocrisy could be found among the goods not bads. Because bad are bad, they don't pretend to be good.
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ChAcha May 29, 2017 01:22pm
We need to avoid calling other hypocrite we don't know their heart Ramadan is a month when most of us try to be a better person look at the amount of cherity and number of people in mosque in Ramadan compared to other months this is because in Ramadan we try to be a better person not because of hypocracy
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KB May 29, 2017 01:38pm
All True..... but who cares.
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KB May 29, 2017 01:42pm
Angelic make up...Hahaha... too good term
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Mk May 29, 2017 02:31pm
What a ignorant response
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Mo May 29, 2017 03:51pm
@ZEB you couldnt be more wrong.
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N H RANA May 29, 2017 03:56pm
You, Baita Jee spoke on my behalf as well. Jazak Allah.
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N H RANA May 29, 2017 03:58pm
@zaheer : Yes I agree with you without any reservations.
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Nangialay May 29, 2017 06:00pm
Absolute agree Miss.
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Irfan uk May 29, 2017 07:07pm
Absolutely agree with you comments, and the same could be said for both male and female presenters.
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Shahid Ahmed May 29, 2017 07:33pm
Well said Ushna. The society at large is profoundly hypocritical.
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Shahid Ahmed May 29, 2017 07:42pm
Well said Ushna , The society in general is profoundly hypocritical
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FC May 29, 2017 07:53pm
I agree with her on this a 100%. The Ramzan transmissions tend to go overboard and become annoying at times. There are several characters from the showbiz industry that make a mockery of the true purpose of the month.
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Ray May 29, 2017 09:26pm
@ZEB I believe you missed the point.
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Shabnam May 30, 2017 12:44am
Thoughtful and agree . But I would appreciate ARY transmission that's is informative. Let's hope for the best and stay positive
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ZZ May 30, 2017 12:47am
I really dont go for this,because people have made a mindset that, to be religious you shouldnt dance, u wouldve never, or act. And these people just change their clothes for respect as the hostess, they dont become mullahs and aalims giving advice. We can all be actors and dancers, and still be religious. Why do only people from masjids and other places have to take up the role of religious shows. Targeting them is just her own professional jealousy, they dont fake religiosity, they know everyone has watched their dances and their dramas. They just wear clothes to the season. Targeting people who criticise and bring religion up for kay oss should be targeted noone else.
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Hasin Ahmed May 30, 2017 01:09am
I agree with your thoughts. Not only the showbiz figures but also the electronic media has gone berserk for making money by selling the sanctity and aura of spirituality of the holy month. They have thrown to the winds the awe and reverence that the holy month of Ramadan inspires. Everything that looks so cheap is used to promote merchandize and ratings. The whole thing that goes on and on round the clock is so much against the spirit of Ramadan.
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Saleem May 30, 2017 02:42am
@ZEB , it does not . A lot of people keep all fast or start 5 times prayers for peer pressure , rather than belief
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Brandon Deriso May 30, 2017 02:46am
Calling out others as religious hypocrites is not the business of you or any other person. To think you have that right and the ability to judge is not good.
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Omer May 30, 2017 05:00am
I have a serious issue with this lady thinking she has somehow earned the right to call out others for hypocricy setting off the kind of speculations on who she is refferring to. Our religion says hide others faults and Allah will hide your faults. But she wouldn't know this since she is "not very religious". As to the makeup and chaddars worn by actrsess during Ramadhan (maybe some one needs to tell her she is in Showbizness)
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Masood Hussain May 30, 2017 08:28am
Totally agree with you
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Jawad Pakistani May 30, 2017 11:58am
Stay away from religion talk you showbiz people it will get you in big trouble.
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Baghi May 31, 2017 03:15am
I think our religious scholar should learn some lesson from bravo lady and should boycott such shows wherein religious put on sale. They should raise voice against such shows and condemn it on every gathering to make general public aware with these hypocrites....
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Zala May 31, 2017 08:06am
You are spot on!
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