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Hamza Ali Abbasi's 'random thoughts' on sexual harassment are more random than expected

Hamza Ali Abbasi's 'random thoughts' on sexual harassment are more random than expected

This vocal celebrity is not one to stay mum about trending issues. But does he make sense?
Updated 21 Apr, 2018

After a long period of silence, Pakistani celebs are finally offering their views on Meesha Shafi's allegations of sexual harassment against Ali Zafar yesterday — and as one would expect, Hamza Ali Abbasi has a lot to say on the matter. Like, a lot.

First, Hamza seems to say that 'modernism' is the reason why harassment exists and the line between flirting and harassment has blurred.

We're not sure how he missed the fact that people have suffered sexual misconduct through the ages, not just in the 'modern' era. It's not exactly a new phenomenon.

He then has a brief moment of clarity, in which he seems to demonstrate an understanding of the power dynamics between the abuser and abused and why that keeps victims from exposing their abusers.

But he loses the point when he says that it's not the abuser's fault for not being able to recognise the power differential or grasp the concept of consent. Umm, what?

Next, he yo-yos back to his earlier point, saying that religion is the answer to this evil.

Who will preach this to the abusers, though?

Then, there's another bout of clarification, where he says it's blurred lines, blurred lines are the problem.

And finally, to end the matter, he thinks everyone should chill out and watch Motorcycle Girl, the story of a young woman who doesn't give two hoots about society's norms and does what her heart tells her to.

Hmmm.

The industry reacts

Apart from Hamza Ali Abbasi, a few more celebrities have shared their take on the subject. Most have stuck to safe statements.

Celebs like Mahira Khan and Armeena Khan have expressed their support for Meesha by calling out her victim-blaming, character-assassinating critics:

Some of Ali's peers in the industry have expressed their disbelief over the entire controversy:

Reham Khan has been vocal in her support of Meesha Shafi:

Fakhr-e-Alam is also in disbelief but hopes justice prevails:

Iffat Omer believes that Meesha Shafi has no reason to make up the allegations:

Comments

MA Apr 20, 2018 03:45pm
Hamza Ali is only man in this whole so called entertainment establishment being sensible,
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TAN Apr 20, 2018 03:48pm
This man should also be arrested for his remarks.
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Naxalite Apr 20, 2018 04:04pm
100% Agreed with Hamza
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Tina Apr 20, 2018 04:09pm
I so agree with this man..he made a point!
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fateh alam Apr 20, 2018 04:43pm
Firstly i wonder why Hamza Ali abbasi is always IN without any reasons,i believe some times individuals get unnessary feels raised instatus,without any worthi advied him also u r not thr stuff to make any headlines through politics especially with corrupt biased incompetent MEDIA,BOL did a massive damage to u and other person by projectin g both as Analyst ,better relax and concentrate on ur TV aerials
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Change Your mind Apr 20, 2018 05:06pm
The root of this problem is human being
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SARA Apr 20, 2018 05:09pm
His thoughts are so regressive and confused!
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Fried Chillies Apr 20, 2018 05:59pm
When one hides personal aspirations behind a public figure face they find it compelling to get into verbal gymnastics. The controversy is rather simple - what transpired was it wrong or right...the amount of time that passed since or the gender of the person involved or their religious beliefs is hardly a consideration when you see the wrong inflicted. Change any of the above factors in the said crime and it still remains a crime!!!
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Vinod Narang Apr 20, 2018 06:19pm
As always Hamza has no idea what is he talking about. This is a big issue in our society and if a woman has enough guts to bring this in the open we all need to support her and really look into it. No women with sound mind will like her name dragged into mud specially this age of technology where news moves like fire. Men is Pakistani society always like to hide behind religion while they are questioned about their character. Religion does not say that you abuse women just because you are powerful. More female actress need to stand behind Meesha and support her so no one will dare to abuse them. It is about time that educated Pakistani women stand up and say enough is enough no more harassment sexual or any other kind. # YOU GO GIRLS
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Ahmad Gul Apr 20, 2018 06:23pm
I second Hamza's point...he says right. No one teaches about this that he has to lower his gaze. Religion has taught and it's time to inculcate it man's mind .... simple is that.
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Dr. Talha Apr 20, 2018 06:38pm
Hamza Ali Abbasi is may be the next JJ in the making. He has point though.
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Asim Husain Khan Apr 20, 2018 06:39pm
This is what i foresee: Day is not far away when we will see a female coming up against harassment allegations against Mr. Abbasi.
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Mansoor Tirmizi Apr 20, 2018 06:43pm
Hamza Ali Abbasi's comments are clear and understandable but the commentator's criticism is a bit twisted.
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Ali Apr 20, 2018 06:48pm
Hamza is 100% right.....
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Fred Apr 20, 2018 07:05pm
"Sexual harassment is not a new phenomenon." Agreed. The new phenomenon is the encouragement of intermingling of sexes in the name of modernism or progress without informing women and men about the risks it comes with.
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kash Apr 20, 2018 07:37pm
great point by Hamza
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N abidi Apr 20, 2018 08:23pm
Humza is saying what the debate is, all over world! The lines are blurred! The women needs to know that men are not mind readers! The " me too" movement is about men that abuse power , and prevented women to get the jobs to move ahead, for their own , forced relationships on these women! This is not the case here! Ali should go to court, because these women should have done, because none are saying they said No! There has to be an proactive response, if you say ,you are strong,modern ,educated women, then you should be able to say clearly ,what your limits are,and make it clear! This one sided vagues recollections , are very destructive to this "me too movements" !
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zealot Apr 20, 2018 10:37pm
Absolutely correct brother
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KI Apr 20, 2018 11:37pm
With respect to the #MeeToo campaign some women may have wrongly accused men of harassment for personal gain but in most cases such accusations are true. The argument made by Hamza Ali Abbasi that Modernism is the cause of sexual harassment because it creates situations where men and women come too close is only partially true. Over the past decades, people and cultures in different countries have overcome similar situations where cultural norms are challenged with the help of education, awareness and by asserting peoples natural rights. Think of a Apartheid in South Africa or slavery in USA, or the issue of women rights in general, many such situations that had arisen due to "Modernism" have been successfully addressed. The solution to many of the the wrongs is for the perpetrator and in the case of sexual harassment, the "man" to realize that they are wrong to take advantage of their position of power and hurt another woman by using physical or verbal harassment.
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tunda thakur Apr 21, 2018 02:51am
His tweets seems to make perfect sense to me. Unless you deliberately want to twist things in an attempt to cause confusion.
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Cosmo Apr 21, 2018 06:58am
Even mullahs call Hamza “The mullah”! The guy is a joke.
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Shola e Jawad Apr 21, 2018 07:02am
This poor chap suffers from foot in mouth syndrome. Did anyone ever teach him that silence is gold.
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Salman Apr 21, 2018 07:22am
What do u expect he is a lost / confused soul “an actor turned anchor” . Statistically there isnt one person
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Umer bin Khalid Apr 21, 2018 10:19am
Well said ...Hamza
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Bangru Apr 22, 2018 09:11am
I tend to agree with Hamza Abbasi...Meesha Shafi alleged that Ali Zafar harassed her sexually. Ali Zafar denied it...now what. Who is telling the truth? Just because Meesha is a woman, does she deserve all the sympathy? Just because Ali Zafar is a man, does it make him the culprit. Unless, Ali admits or Meesha produces some evidence/witness, it all remains a mere character smear campaign against Ali Zafar...and come on...atleast Meesha needs to give more details of this alleged sexual harassment to make some head or tail of it...
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Afia Apr 22, 2018 06:38pm
So Hamza promoting " motercycle girl" with gender segregation message of Islam??
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Rock n Roll Apr 25, 2018 02:11am
Hamza Ali you're the only one who iz showing some sort of sensibility in this fake society.
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no name Apr 25, 2018 04:23pm
"the line betweeen flirting and harrassment has blurred so much that no one can anymore tell the difference between two" MORAL OF STORY.
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