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Faysal Quraishi, Feroze Khan and other stars applaud Indian student Muskan for her stand against bigotry

Faysal Quraishi, Feroze Khan and other stars applaud Indian student Muskan for her stand against bigotry

A viral video showing the burqa-clad young woman standing up to far-right extremists has won hearts across the country.
09 Feb, 2022

A young woman in India named Muskan has won hearts all over Pakistan for standing up against right-wing extremists.

A video of the burqa-clad young woman went viral on social media when she arrived at her college and was heckled by the swarm of men wearing saffron scarves. Instead of cowering or backing down, she faced them head on and screamed "Allahu Akbar" in response to them chanting "Jai Shri Ram" at her. The video gained her a lot of support and now even celebrities have spoken out, praising her courage.

The Karnataka student told India Today TV what had happened during the incident. "I was going to college to submit an assignment. There were some people who were not allowing me to go to the college because I was wearing a burqa. They were asking me to remove burqa and then go inside." She said she was just passing by the men with saffron scarves protesting against the hijab when "they started shouting slogans, Jai Shri Ram, Jai Sri Ram. So, I screamed 'Allahu Akbar'. That's it."

She added that, "Lots of boys were standing. They were just screaming. They were showing fingers... I was a little bit scared. Then I saw principal and teacher and felt okay".

Students at a government-run high school in Karnataka were told last month not to wear hijabs [headscarves], an edict that soon spread to other educational institutions in the state. This caused a standoff between Muslims who condemn the ban and many right-wing Hindus who have started protesting against hijabs. Authorities in southern India ordered schools to shut down as protests intensified over the ban.

Muskan's brave way of standing up for herself has led to an outpouring of appreciation. From calling her a "lioness" to saying she has "the courage of a thousand men", celebrities such as Faysal Quraishi, Feroze Khan and Ahmed Ali Butt have expressed their respect for her.

Actor Asad Siddiqui sent a prayer her way and wished everyone had her courage and bravery.

Feroze Khan said this is "what a lioness looks like."

Author Fatima Bhutto expressed awe at "the courage of this woman."

Ahmed Ali Butt shared an article about her deed and said she had "the courage of a thousand men."

Actors Syed Jibran and Faysal Quraishi expressed their respect for her.

VJ and actor Anoushey Ashraf shared a screenshot of Muskan's quote saying "Our priority is our education. They're ruining our education," adding "#Allahoakbar."

Photo: /Instagram
Photo: /Instagram

Both #Muskan and #Allahoakbar are trending on social media as more people show support for the brave young woman. To stand up for your beliefs is always commendable, but to do it when faced with very strong opposition and threats of violence is even more awe inspiring. As news of the hijab ban spreads, more people are rightfully calling on the Indian authorities to stop policing what women wear. Wearing the hijab or not is their choice and they should be given the opportunity to exercise that choice.

Comments

Khan D Feb 09, 2022 05:44pm
Another Malila in the making for all the wrong reasons.
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Khan D Feb 09, 2022 05:45pm
Rules are rules nobody should disobey them.
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Dollarman Feb 09, 2022 06:28pm
Little brave girl has exposed Modi globally!
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Ali da Malanga Feb 09, 2022 07:24pm
All the power to Muskan Khan. Hindutva supporters were so afraid of this young Muslim lady that they came as a mob, a typical hallmark of cowards.
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Hafeez Feb 09, 2022 07:30pm
@Khan D No rule can be taken as written in stone, especially if it is infringing on fundamental rights (that are widely accepted) of citizens.
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nk Feb 09, 2022 08:33pm
The new light of India
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Sam Feb 09, 2022 08:44pm
@Hafeez don't you have dress codes in Pakistani schools???
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Truth Feb 09, 2022 10:02pm
@Khan and this is called mob rule in shining India
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Khalid Feb 10, 2022 02:19am
People of all religions have to wear burqa in Saudi Arabia! Rule is a rule.
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Syed Kazmi Feb 10, 2022 03:09am
Those who will never done or do hijab themselves and those haven't dare to ask their dependents or will do to wear hijab are talking about it as well.
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Akil Akhtar Feb 10, 2022 03:49am
What a brave girl she could have been killed...
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Aakshwani Feb 10, 2022 05:31am
Are these people famous in Pakistan?
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VINIT JOSHI Feb 10, 2022 07:41am
If this same situation was in some other country the same girl would have been no more. The entire mob inspite her being alone and easy target did not touch her.
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Myths Feb 10, 2022 09:17am
Whole scene was planted. How come there is only one girl in the scene.
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sameer Feb 10, 2022 09:37am
@Khan D Then made rules flexible
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Pankaj Feb 10, 2022 10:20am
Further, would advise people who are supporting her to see her Instagram account and see yourself how she conducts herself in social media.
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neil brown Feb 10, 2022 10:57am
not in my country
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Aam Aadami Feb 10, 2022 12:51pm
Anoushey Ashraf - Behen tum rehne do!
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M. Saeed Feb 10, 2022 01:36pm
Reminds of the girl who kissed the award of shahadat while flying the Pakistan Flag on Lahore Parliament building during the British Raj.
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Ilovehelen Feb 12, 2022 11:17am
Faisal Quraisi and Anousay in same sentence. Really? Explain how are her achievements anywhere near to Faisal or many other female superstar like Mahira or Saba Qamar. Don't understand her coverage one bit.
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