Images

Boxer Amir Khan's parents respond to Faryal Makhdoom's abuse allegations

Boxer Amir Khan's parents respond to Faryal Makhdoom's abuse allegations

Amir's mother insists their conflict is over her Faryal's clothing alone
Updated 15 Nov, 2017

Last week, Faryal Makhdoom, the wife of British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan, alleged that she has long suffered harassment at the hands of her in-laws.

In a story on social media platform Snapchat, Faryal claimed that her in-laws attempted to hit her and also tried to engineer a divorce when she was nine months pregnant with the couple's first child. She claimed that her husband was also a victim of their bullying tactics.

While Amir's siblings took to social media to respond to her allegations, his parents broke their silence in a TV interview by Geo TV yesterday.

In the interview, Amir's father Sajjad Khan denied that any one beat Faryal.

"I have two daughters and have treated Faryal the same as them," he professed. He shared that the family's conflict with Faryal is over her choice of clothes.

"I said to her once, 'Faryal bacha, don't wear such clothes, be sure to wear a dupatta.' But she didn't listen and I never brought it up again," says Amir's mother

"We've been asking Amir to tell Faryal not to dress [in immodest clothes], and even if she's wearing them, she shouldn't put her photographs up on social media."

"We tell our daughter not to dress like that and we've told her the same," he stressed.

Amir's mother also insisted that their conflict is over Faryal's clothing alone.

"I said to her once, 'Faryal bacha, don't wear such clothes, be sure to wear a dupatta.' But she didn't listen and I never brought it up again. It was actually Amir's obligation to tell her, and when I spoke to him, he told me to speak to her mother because she doesn't listen to him either."

She continued, "It's been two, two-and-a-half years and there's no talk about her clothes or her involvement in the household work or anything like that."

She added that Faryal never wanted to 'mix' with her husband's family:

"We sit together in the evening and one can't tell if we have two daughters or three, because Faryal never liked to mix with us. I would have liked her to sit with us, go out with us, but she's always called us 'paindu' (unsophisticated). Are paindu people not Muslims, not humans? Paindu ka beta Amir Khan hai na [Amir Khan is the son of paindus, is he not?] We've raised him to become who he is and have now handed him over to Faryal. I hope they have a long and happy marriage but I stress to all daughters-in-law to never break a mother's heart. Parents have rights too, you should love them."

She implied that the Faryal's abuse allegations were a lie:

"If we are being dishonoured on this channel today, one day Faryal will claim that Amir has beaten her. Because we haven't done anything to her, my daughters haven't done anything to her. I urge all daughters-in-law and daughters to not be disobedient or a sinner."

While Amir's parents have categorically denied Faryal's allegations of abuse, they have failed to comment on the public criticism of her on social media by their children, Haroon Khan and Mariya Khan. They can also be criticised for focusing on her clothes and whether they can reasonably expect a woman to tailor her wardrobe according to their conception of modesty.

Faryal has also attracted censure by people who believe she should have handled her situation like a 'private family matter'.

However, there are many who praise her bravery in outing her in-laws' mistreatment of her.

Comments

sk Dec 13, 2016 05:51pm
Typical Pakistani family...trying to live in UK with Pakistani mentality. The youngsters are a new generation. Let them be who they are.
Recommend
Hasnain Dec 13, 2016 05:58pm
Lets believe in what they are saying for a moment. Makhdoom was living the same life even before. So why in the first place they agreed on the marriage? Maybe it was their son's choice. They should respect the couple's choice for a living style. I haven't heard anything from Amir regarding this whole thing, defending his parents or siblings.
Recommend
H.H Shah Dec 13, 2016 05:59pm
Well i will just say that in this case the husband has to play a vital role, as to balance his wife & parents, as a matter of fact both the relationship is important & have same values.
Recommend
Meenal Dec 13, 2016 06:03pm
@sk the family is right Wherever you live, just dont leave the circles of culture and religious values
Recommend
khan Dec 13, 2016 06:05pm
and sure we'll see Amir's career ruining soon..a man cannot have two fights at the same time..one outside and one inside the house
Recommend
Hassan Dec 13, 2016 06:10pm
They are proud to be and live in LONDON but cloths should be PAKISTANI
Recommend
Seemab Khan Dec 13, 2016 06:15pm
TYpical Pakistani family raised Amir Khan, who became boxer....its a norm to dress properly and modestly. Faryal would be more appreciated if she would have gone like this before marriage, so every one knows what is she like.
Recommend
Kamran Dec 13, 2016 06:27pm
I agree with Amir's parents.
Recommend
Masoud Dec 13, 2016 06:29pm
Amir Khan should out this problem out of media's eye. This is a personal matter non should approach media. sort it out amicably.
Recommend
Someone Dec 13, 2016 06:34pm
To everyone appreciating Amir Khan's wife, she is not setting up a good example either by blaming her in-laws on Media and Social media. Such wives are nightmare to be honest. I am sure the Boxer Amir Khan wants her wife to AT LEAST respect his family. If she keeps attacking Amir's family, she will damage her relationship with her boxer husband. Remember my words, if Amir Khan's wife keep attacking his relatives then Amir Khan will get rid of his wife. He has plenty of other options.
Recommend
sajjad Dec 13, 2016 06:42pm
The lesson is that discuss all the things before marriage, learn each other ways of living and future mindset.
Recommend
malk Dec 13, 2016 06:49pm
She definitely using his name to build her "own" brand and business.
Recommend
Chisti Dec 13, 2016 07:02pm
A Strong family tie is one of the characters that differentiate us from the west. It's a good thing not bad, Some of our girls failed to understand that especially if the husband is very successful. Unfortunately, this behavior affects the family and their marriage. On the other hand, it is important for the family to treat daughter in law as one of their own and not interfere in her daily affairs.
Recommend
sana-1 Dec 13, 2016 07:10pm
They knew that she was the same person/ model etc etc before, she would've been wearing these types of clothes all her life... they should've seen these values in her before. You people expect to have this and that type of DILs and then when they come you expect them to be like you. A person is the same person before and after marriage but people want a 'chand ka tukra' before and after marriage want her to a 'maid for all'! This should not happen, justly see what you and your son want and after marriage let them stay in their separate house for the sake of his happy family.
Recommend
AJS Dec 13, 2016 07:18pm
Why Bring your Dirty Laundry , out !! Guys its your domestic issue,
Recommend
kranti Dec 13, 2016 07:19pm
Before marriage also she was wearing those dresses...Then why their parents objected about it before marriage...
Recommend
Sonny Afridi Dec 13, 2016 07:46pm
Unnecessary drama
Recommend
Syed ali Dec 13, 2016 08:12pm
A mother has more rights on her son than his wife. If Amir's wife can publicly announce the dramas about her in-laws, I'm sure she'll do the same for him and ruin his career. As for her clothing, this is Amir's choice and if he's fine with his wife revealing some skin, I doubt any other man will object to see them. As for those who are blaming eastern parents living in west, please learn the real west culture first and then practice the ordinary norms such as revealing cloths. First invent something for mankind then talk about living like westerners.
Recommend
Daniyal Dec 13, 2016 08:19pm
Either you bring the matters of violence to the police or any other local authority or resolve the issue within the family. There is no point in defaming the people around you or yourself in the media. A person expect his/her private matters to stay private. Already feeling sorry for Amir.
Recommend
ali Dec 13, 2016 08:24pm
Ultimately they will comeback what they were don't worry, all these glamours are ordinary. We all should support the human originality not the fake
Recommend
Touchy Dec 13, 2016 08:29pm
This will definitely impact Amir's Career. His parents made him and new addition will finish him. Witnessed many cases like this. At the end of the day, Amir is sufferer. Nobody will have sympathies for him.
Recommend
nasr Dec 13, 2016 08:35pm
"However, there are many who praise her bravery in outing her in-laws' mistreatment of her." Is this her bravery to defy someone who is trying to prevent her from immodesty?
Recommend
TM Dec 13, 2016 08:40pm
Why don't we leave him alone? Let him live his life,its every household story......
Recommend
muhammad Dec 13, 2016 08:47pm
Aamir should have played the mediating role from the beginning, granted things are not always so easy to handle but Faryal should not have blown the story out in public, like she did. It is giving bad name to Aamir's family and Faryal herself.
Recommend
WaheedNoor Dec 13, 2016 09:06pm
Who are they to tell her how she should dress? It is between her and her husband and the parents should keep out of it. Do they really think they OWN her?
Recommend
yasio Dec 13, 2016 09:14pm
Why would you all come along to destroy his carrier
Recommend
ajmal Dec 13, 2016 09:25pm
@sk we should be proud of the family as they are still clinging to their values and roots. Instead of calling them a typical family. It is to be a better first rate copy of your own culture
Recommend
dan shibara Dec 13, 2016 10:28pm
Amir Khan's parents are correct. They are doing the right thing. What she presents is has nothing to do with modesty, Islam, or even British Pakistanis. As most British Pakistanis, more than 90% would agree with her parents. So, who is she trying to win over? If not her Husband and her new family? This girl is way out of touch with reality and reality would soon teach her that she was wrong all along and she will be crying. If not in this world then hereafter.
Recommend
Talha Dec 13, 2016 11:47pm
@malk Agree with your comment 100 percent.
Recommend
Uzair Latif Dec 14, 2016 12:31am
Whether what she said was right or wrong, it definitely wasn't right by Amir. And no matter what, it puts him in a rough spot. I'm confident that being an adult (let alone a top class sportsman), Amir would have been able to come to a graceful solution to any issue. So, to me, it just shows that she either doesn't care that much about Amir, doesn't trust him enough, or simply isn't too bright.
Recommend
dabangg Dec 14, 2016 01:12am
@Meenal Faryal was born in US. So her culture would be American not Pakistani.
Recommend
dabangg Dec 14, 2016 01:14am
@ajmal They are free to cling to their roots but they can not force the in-law to follow especially since she was raised in US.
Recommend
Rahul Singh Dec 14, 2016 01:32am
The vote itself shows the thinking of whole society of Pakistan
Recommend
fahad Dec 14, 2016 02:02am
At frist place why Amir's sibling were abusing her on online. I have seen many comments on her Insta account, some people harassing her for the dressing.
Recommend
Ali Dec 14, 2016 02:38am
I belive Faryal's account. It is very obvious that the In-laws are what she is claiming them to be, its also obvious from the TV interview how the mum was trying to emotionally blackmail Amir via the media. Shame. When will the Pakistani families learn to behave differently.
Recommend
Shawn Dec 14, 2016 04:18am
The parents there want to milk the success of their children and having a child is more of an investment and a business deal. They are unfamiliar with the idea of unconditional love, Good for her to shed light on this horrible controlling behavior. Father has no business forcing modesty. No one seems to take issue with the huge problem of child molestation but they all are passionate about modesty.
Recommend
MA Dec 14, 2016 04:34am
I trust and respect her father in law as being a father living abroad with family.
Recommend
Parvez Dec 14, 2016 06:02am
It is about control. Clothing issue is one of the levers. She is grown up. Who are they to raise this issue?
Recommend
kit kit Dec 14, 2016 06:06am
Amirs parents are hypocrites as is Faryal. It wasnt a love marriage as she was hand picked by them. They knew she married their paindu family son for fame .Of course she wasn't going to go for meals with them and not seek publicity. they wnated it all, model looks educated non paindu and from a different social class to themselves. Marry your own types
Recommend
rana1 Dec 14, 2016 06:31am
@Meenal ....right this should include the man too
Recommend
rana1 Dec 14, 2016 06:36am
@Touchy ....then Amir should have made wise choice in marriage as per to his custom and culture.
Recommend
rana1 Dec 14, 2016 06:38am
@ajmal ....then family forgot to instill their values in Amir..
Recommend
rana1 Dec 14, 2016 06:40am
@yasio ....aeroplane is carrier,its career.
Recommend
Sethi Dec 14, 2016 06:51am
So long as the couple are happy with their sartorial decorum there needn't be any issues. If he too is displeased which surely doesn't seem to be the case than the parent's shouldn't interfere. Its as simple as that what life does their son and daughter in law want to lead is the imperative here and not the qualms of her mother in law.
Recommend
Ak4pk Dec 14, 2016 07:05am
It's a clash of the old with the new, money and fame v morality and virtue. Amir lives and works in a society where wealth and fame rules. He certainly looks comfortable with his wife's posture. Let them get on with it for they alone are answerable for their deeds. If the family disapproves of their life style, they should just cut off all ties with them. Problem solved.
Recommend
Vijay Dec 14, 2016 07:30am
Why do parents have to speak for the boy, can't the boy speak for himself? Typical attitude of "desis" living in the west,
Recommend
Vijay Dec 14, 2016 07:31am
@Meenal Then the guy should have married a typical desi girl, plus you cant't abuse your spouse in the west and get away with it.
Recommend
Vijay Dec 14, 2016 07:32am
@Seemab Khan So you are blaming her for this guy punching her? Some man!
Recommend
Vijay Dec 14, 2016 07:34am
@Masoud If you wan't keep the matter private then don't fight in the public. This is not India or Pakistan where you can hush up things.
Recommend
Vijay Dec 14, 2016 07:35am
@ajmal Standing up for a son who abuses his wife is a family value?
Recommend
Babar Dec 14, 2016 08:35am
In-laws no matter what will never accept daughter in law. It is in our cultural blood.
Recommend
Imran Dec 14, 2016 08:43am
She married Amir Khan for money and fame.
Recommend
Ali Dec 14, 2016 08:54am
Well only Amir will pay off by runing his career in the fight of these two. Therefore, if you are marrying someone let her/him know what your family is and what their culture is. Although I support Amir's family as I don't think that a successful boxer parents are like that what Amir's wife claims.
Recommend
Jonaid m Dec 14, 2016 08:59am
Aamir is such a weak person in this matter. He was raised with a set of traditions which is evident by looking and listening to his family. He chose an out of control brat to marry and the outcome is here for him embrace. He should Have defined himself and his values and his lifestyle and made sure that his family doesn't end up suffering this mental abuse and destroying the family's good name in public just like that by this psychotic person he married.
Recommend
Nasir Dec 14, 2016 09:11am
The sad fact is that a lot of British Pakistanis living in the North of England still have a Pakistani village mentality. They also have problems integrating with western values and traditions. They have a bias towards this mentality without even realising - Amir Khan a millionaire should never have had to stay in the same house as his family in the first place
Recommend
Sara Dec 14, 2016 09:25am
Who the hell are they to tell her how to dress up. She is gorgeous and there is nothing wrong in wearing dresses. She has great taste.
Recommend
jasim Dec 14, 2016 09:38am
its not pakistani mentality , its modesty. Amir is a modest guy who i think needs to control the affair.
Recommend
Ali Dec 14, 2016 09:42am
@WaheedNoor wow what a son you must be.
Recommend
parveez shafi Dec 14, 2016 09:44am
Clash of two different cultures. People from mirpur, although they live in the uk, have not changed with the times. And there are other Pakistanis who have western ideas. It is mismatch between the two families. It looks like the women wants to use her husband fame for her own end. Amir is a lovely guy, but now he is stuck, like so many others Pakistani families
Recommend
Farrukh khan Dec 14, 2016 09:48am
These things coming out in public will help no one. We need to educate the society, yes! but in a conservative society such open attempts will only make people more defensive and won't serve the intended good purpose. Hope we do not hear about this personal matter anymore and that the couple can stay together in peace.
Recommend
Riz Dec 14, 2016 10:06am
a typical thing we see everyday in every house in Pakistan and in india as well,, this is "kahani ghar gahr ki" this is typical internal women politics of getting control of their man (son and husband) in such cases there is no reason for fight, the real reason is getting control of man (most of the time he is the breadwinner as well) this is mentality issue and this not ending anytime soon,,,, not here in Pak not even in UK,,
Recommend
Sara Dec 14, 2016 11:13am
Wearing a Burkha or hijab does not mean you are a modest person. What she wears is her business. She wears her clothes in a very elegant manner. She is far more modest than a Burkha clad person. I have been living in western countries and travel all over Europe and have seen Burkha clad and hijab I clad girls/ women having affairs and doing everything that a morden women/ girl would be accused of. Don't be fooled. Don't be jealous of Faryal.
Recommend
Sara Dec 14, 2016 11:15am
@Nasir You are right. They come to western countries with their narrow mentalities. If they don't like it then go back.
Recommend
analyses Dec 14, 2016 11:16am
I can only just sympathize with Amir Khan... He must be going through a lot of mental torture and frustration right now which will definitely impact his career and personal well being as well. First his wife tweeted something over media which he could only see in pain as he can't control his outspoken wife's outburst. Then he has to see the responses of his sis and mom which must have angered his wife a lot who would be all over him to severe his ties with his family and give a befitting reply to them on media, which most likely he won't. I can't see the marriage lasting for long, unfortunately.
Recommend
harris Dec 14, 2016 11:57am
Sympathize both with the family and the bride.... Both are from different ages and different priorities... Real test for Amir. Wish the media respects their privacy and let them do whatever they want on the social media.
Recommend
Zafari Dec 14, 2016 12:17pm
@khan Or perhaps Three. One outside the house and two inside. Hope they'd leave him alone and concentrate on hs profession.
Recommend
DJ Dec 14, 2016 01:32pm
Totally insane.If you have any domestic issue must keep and address them within family instead of highlighting on social media.I don't think you need such a cheap fame.
Recommend
FairsAy Dec 14, 2016 02:12pm
Enough said. This guy is worth $30m! Can't he buy them separate houses?
Recommend
Usman Dec 14, 2016 03:41pm
Amir should have handled this matter more diligently by buying Faryal a separate house when they got married. Making his celebrity wife live with his extended desi family was definitley not the way to go.
Recommend
Saeed Dec 15, 2016 12:37am
Amir has a solid chance to be a legend and him getting stuck with this horrible & disgusting situation is such a shame. Faryal is a total trash and shows by her acts & looks. I hope he had her signed a good Pre Nuptial Agreement before getting into this mess. Good Luck Amir and get out of this mess.
Recommend
Mohsin Dec 15, 2016 03:48am
Living together that early in marriage is a huge mistake. Take your wife and take her aside. You married her so stick to her. Don’t make her choose and don’t choose now. You chose to marry her, you can not step foot in two boats and try to cross the river. Stay with one. On the other hand make sure she respects your parents. With dressing and all .. know your audience. But again its 21st century. Parents need to realize that she is married to a superstar and she will dress up as she likes. If they knew how she is like that; they should not have married her. Secondly, Mr. Aamir Khan; you cannot play that card, you are not the victim here. Support you wife as per sharia she is your responsibility. You are bound to give her separate home. Dressing is sick issue in Pakistani Society. Dupatta or no dupatta. There is so much paradox. If they did not like how she dressed up before wedding; they should not married her. Joint family is a failed setup. Let IT GO..please.
Recommend
rana1 Dec 15, 2016 09:28am
@Imran ....and he married her for her beauty.......beauty and the beast!
Recommend
Arif Mahmood Dec 15, 2016 09:53pm
I am all for women's rights, gender equality and vehemently against any form of domestic abuse but I disagree with Faryals approach. Resorting to social media to showcase her emotions is very petty, unclassy and ineffective. Social media justice is the equivalent of mob justice and I think she could have handled herself better. i just wish she had chosen a different channel to express her thoughts and emotions.
Recommend
sb Dec 16, 2016 04:58am
@dan shibara so true
Recommend
sb Dec 16, 2016 04:58am
So true
Recommend