Dawn Images

Areeba Habib is teaching all of us how to be more tolerant. In a recent appearance on Ushna Shah’s show After Hours, the actor spoke about the backlash she received for posting pictures from a Diwali celebration.

“We live in a country with a lot of people, including Christians and Hindus, who celebrate our occasions with us,” she said.

The actor continued that designer Deepak Perwani, who hosted the party, often came to iftar parties out of respect even if he wasn’t fasting.

“You’re going there to be a part of their happiness and enjoy with them because they don’t have anyone here. They [minorities] are away from their communities because Pakistan is their home now, and we’re simply celebrating with them.”

Habib said that she was also criticised for putting up a Christmas tree in her house, which she does because a lot of her staff is Christian. While the actor was grateful for being a Muslim, she emphasised that as humans we should celebrate everything and be a part of others’ happiness.

“We’re not saying you should convert to Christianity,” Habib said.

She added that it is parents’ responsibility to educate their children and if people didn’t have anything positive to say, they should refrain from saying something negative.

The actor said her brother told her to remember that internet trolls and haters took out their frustrations on social media. “They don’t have anything to do, they have mobile [phones] and internet which is cheap in Pakistan and this is what they do. They think it’s an achievement to comment [on a public figure’s account] and their best achievement is when you reply.”