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Model Mujahid Rasool accuses photographer of sexual harassment, calls out misconduct in fashion industry

Model Mujahid Rasool accuses photographer of sexual harassment, calls out misconduct in fashion industry

"The screenshots I've shared are from a famous designer and a content head at a major production house," says Rasool
Updated 18 May, 2018

Model Mujahid Rasool has come forward on Instagram to call out a culture of harassment in the fashion industry, specifically the exploitation of male talent by male gatekeepers.

In a series of posts using the hashtag #MeToo, the model said: "I have been struggling this field for 7-8 years which has been an experience full of harassment."

He explained: "'I have my own conditions! 'Can we meet alone?' 'Show me your n*** pictures!' ... These type of statements have to be faced by me since the day I am struggling in this media industry and I am more than 100% sure that I am not alone in this case, there could be many more out there."

Rasool shared screenshots of unnamed persons contacting him with an opportunity for work, albeit with 'conditions' attached. The screen shots can be seen below and on Instagram.

In a separate post he also alleged that photographer/promoter Azeem Sani wanted Rasool to trade sexual favours in exchange for work opportunities.

In a conversation with Images Mujahid Rasool clarified that the screenshots he shared on Instagram are not excerpts of a conversation with Azeem Sani, but are conversations with two separate men in the entertainment industry whose names he does not wish to disclose at this moment.

"The screenshots I've shared are from a famous designer and from a content head at a major production house in Karachi," says Rasool.

"It's been years since I've been facing this," says Rasool. "Everyone knows that this is the reality of the industry but no one wants to talk about it. I know I'm at a nascent stage in my career right now. I know that after this I might not get work. But this is something that needs to be addressed. Maybe change won't come right now, maybe change will come after 10 years or 20 years. But I hope my post can help or protect a young boy who wants to enter the field of entertainment. Harassers should know that victims will not stay silent anymore, they will speak out."

When asked about whether he's received criticism from his peers for speaking out, Rasool says: "I have received a backlash. I've got so many messages in my inbox saying, 'You could have just privately said no, why did you have to make it public.'"

"Everyone knows that this is the reality of the industry but no one wants to talk about it. I know I'm at a nascent stage in my career right now. I know that after this I might not get work. But this is something that needs to be addressed," says Rasool

However, Rasool says he was mentally prepared for any criticism that he might receive, and that he is also heartened by the support his post has generated. "We cannot judge a whole field by just these people," he says. "There are good people in the field and that's why I keep working. And if I don't get 80% of the work that's fine. I'll be satisfied by doing 20% of the work.

Rasool also cites his engagement with academia as part of the reason why he is choosing to speak out. "I'm doing a PhD in biological sciences at Punjab University, and I am also a lecturer at Aitchison College in Lahore," he says. "I'm a professional person and I expect professional behavior. Also because I am a teacher myself, I guess I feel I can't tolerate this behavior anymore."

Rasool's posts come just weeks after musician and actor Meesha Shafi accused pop singer Ali Zafar of sexual misconduct, marking what was arguably the first instance of a high-profile celebrity publicly accusing a peer of harassment in Pakistan.

Fellow models and actors have since started to share Rasool's post and have commented on it publicly. Model Rehmat Ajmal commented on the post urging Rasool to name and shame those whose screenshots he shared. Meesha Shafi has showed her support on Twitter as well.

Images approached photographer Azeem Sani; he declined to respond, saying "no comment".


This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly

Comments

George May 18, 2018 10:51am
Despicable! Despicable!
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Arsalan May 18, 2018 11:31am
Stay strong and stay put bro, may the truth wins! P.S. It isnt Aichison, but Aitchison College. Being a teacher there you must know.
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shoaib May 18, 2018 11:39am
Brave move man.
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Khurram May 18, 2018 12:11pm
Brave guy to put his career on the line with this. Any guy who has worked a bit in modelling knows that this is true.
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faisal May 18, 2018 12:31pm
Bitter truth behind the veils
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Zak May 18, 2018 12:47pm
Let the problem makers be exposed and face problems themselves. Gutsy move.
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Jo May 18, 2018 01:07pm
Well done for speaking out and exposing the sham. Future generations will thank you for this.
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Nabeel May 18, 2018 01:21pm
Back in the 90s, when my brother was interested in modeling and showed his profile to a few people including an influential photographer... he stated that the casting couch was an unspoken norm.. and that if you had to be noticed.. you had to go through "the hands" of a few people. Back then i thought this sound incredibly strange however post #MeToo and other scandals exposing individuals globally, i have no doubt in what Mujahid is referring to
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Sherina May 18, 2018 02:13pm
@Arsalan yeah because THAT is the most important thing to take away from all this -_-
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Pro Democracy May 18, 2018 02:44pm
@Khurram those who didn't work for modeling, they also know about this matter.
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Junaid Jalal May 18, 2018 02:53pm
Is the Designer he naming is Male or Female?
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Sadaf Shahzad May 18, 2018 03:30pm
You go boy!
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anum May 18, 2018 03:44pm
How differently people react when a man is making an allegation as opposed to when a woman says something.
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Ali May 18, 2018 03:46pm
Salute and respect to you Sir and thank you for raising your voice against these heinous acts of harassment. I would like to add that sexual harassment of kids is prevalent in the religious seminaries throughout the country. Those little victims cannot dare to make it public, partly because they fear the wrath of their cruel teachers and partly due to the secretive environment of these institutions where the children stay for 24/7.
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Amjad Durrani Engineer USA May 18, 2018 07:58pm
@George People, irrespective of their gender must be aware of these sexual predators and paedophiles, who taking advantage of the needy, will leave no stone unturned to entice and take advantage of the vulnerability of the unsuspecting. The movement Me Too must be supported to check this vile and disgusting behavior of would be molesters.
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Naseem May 19, 2018 12:34am
Well done for speaking up You will experience denial and backlash but remember 'you plant a tree so that future generations can benefit from its shade and fruits'.
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Neeraj May 20, 2018 09:45pm
Now look The support he is getting from commentator and what Misha got against Ali Zafar! Whatta people! Females being harassed is okay...
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