Following are excerpts
from an interview with Pakistani actress Veena Malik, who participated
on the "Big Boss" show – the Indian version of the "Big
Brother" show. The interview aired on Express News TV on January
21, 2011.
Interviewer: There
is an allegation against you, made by a segment of Pakistani society,
that you brought dishonor upon Pakistani culture by going to India.
Your dresses and your actions, as well as your interactions with people
there, did not represent the ideological foundations of Pakistan, its
culture, or its people.
[...]
Veena Malik: Look,
these allegations are baseless, because according to the format of the
"Big Boss" show, celebrities – not only from Pakistan, but
from all over the world, including Hollywood – participate in this
show. It is not a cultural variety show, which promotes a certain culture,
or a religious show, where one is allowed to promote one's religion.
[...]
Pakistani religious
scholar Mufti Abdul Qavi: If she does not have pangs of conscience
because of what she did, then I would tell her to awaken her conscience.
No one in Pakistan can look at her pictures in the presence of their
daughters. I don't think that her son will like to look at his mother's
picture in the future, in her presence or in the presence of his father
or brother.
[...]
Veena Malik: If
you want to do something for the glory of Islam, you have plenty of
opportunities. What are the politicians doing? Bribery, robbery, theft,
and killing in the name of Islam. There are many things to talk about.
Why Veena Malik?
[...]
There are many other
things for you to deal with. There are Islamic clerics who rape the
children they teach in their mosques, and so much more.
[...]
Mufti Sahab, there are
many things in your community that need to be rectified, so please correct
them. Veena Malik and the entertainment industry are much further down
on the list.
Mufti Abdul Qavi:
Respected Veena Malik Sahiba, I told you earlier that you are my sister,
and there is no need to get so emotional. Every person plays a role.
Veena Malik: If
there are immoral people in the show business, there may also be immoral
people among the clerics... Mufti Sahab, I remember when you once called
a woman "shameless." If you are indeed spreading the Islam
of the Prophet, peace be upon him, then you should know that the Prophet
would stand up out of respect whenever a woman walked in. He never called
them "shameless."
You should begin by reforming
your own home, and only then ask me to do the same. I am a Muslim, and
I have done many good deeds. You have to listen to me to learn about
them.
[...]
I gave love to everyone,
just to show that these people do not represent Pakistanis... Those
people whose passports turn out to be Pakistani, when a terror attack
takes place... There are also Pakistanis like us, who enjoy entertainment,
fun, and love.
[...]
