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Bella Hadid says war and injustice in Muslim countries deserves the same level of outrage as Ukraine

Bella Hadid says war and injustice in Muslim countries deserves the same level of outrage as Ukraine

The Palestinian-American model said "oppression cannot favour one victim over another."
05 Mar, 2022

Palestinian-American model Bella Hadid is known for being very vocal when it comes to Palestine and speaking against discrimination faced by Muslims and she's done it once again. As celebrities speak up about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Hadid reminded people that all oppression deserves the same level of backlash.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” the model captioned a screenshot of a note she posted on her Instagram.

"Question yourself, question how quietly you moved around other injustices, the footprint we leave here will be the clearest one we've left in a long time," the model said talking about the impact we have. "If this is your first time realising a war in some years, you're not of the world." She said war, along with the position we take during it, is forever.

Hadid said we should always speak up when we feel encouraged to, but she believes the most transformative speech comes from discomfort, "when air has to break to make room for your voice." The model said that if the American president is defending a liberation movement, there's no risk in joining that defence. "There's little glory in joining a war monger to point at another war monger."

She talked about Ukraine saying "nothing should undermine the magnitude of their suffering, of the violence against them" but it's not just about justice, it's also about who is at the receiving end of injustice. She highlighted that "the way we've failed to uphold it elsewhere dictates this. Our lack of tools here is a result of our neglect elsewhere."

Hadid said that the language we use to define oppression "cannot favour one victim over another." She picked on a point that's been circulating on social media ever since the conflict in Ukraine started — how many such conflicts have been ongoing for decades in Muslim nations but they get no attention. "How many Muslim nations aflame? Invasions by the west, merciless drone strikes, executions, internment camps in China? How much of Palestine, how little of Palestine left?" the model asked.

Last month, CBS News senior correspondent in Kyiv Charlie D’Agata made a very problematic comment regarding the conflict in Ukraine as opposed to those in third world countries. “This isn’t a place, with all due respect, like Iraq or Afghanistan that has seen conflict raging for decades. This is a relatively civilised, relatively European — I have to choose those words carefully, too — city where you wouldn’t expect that, or hope that it’s going to happen.”

D’Agata's comments were met with backlash online after his statement went viral — racking up more than 1.5 million views on Twitter — and were swiftly condemned as racist and historically inaccurate. This led to him issuing an apology on the broadcaster’s streaming network on Feb 26. “I spoke in a way I regret, and for that I’m sorry,” he said, adding that he was trying to convey that Ukraine hasn’t seen “this scale of war” in recent years, unlike other countries.

Racist comments like this are exactly what the model was referring to — if the world starts categorising injustice according to how "developed" the country is, it is not about injustice at all, it becomes a political decision where it's about helping someone who can help you in return. It should be about helping the oppressed and fighting injustice of any kind.

Hadid recently spoke up against the discrimination against hijab wearing Muslims amidst the hijab bans in countries like India and France, urging governments to stop dictating women's choices and what they can wear.

Hadid said in 2017 that she identifies as a "proud Muslim" and made sure to stand up for her "Muslim sisters." She has been very vocal about Islamophobia and the rights of Palestinians as well. She and her sister Gigi posted about Palestinian oppression and condemned silence on attacks in Palestine. This resulted in controversy for Hadid as the State of Israel's official Twitter account twisted the narrative and claimed she was supporting anti-Semitism which resulted in her stance shifting to neutral, which netizens believed was due to her deal with Dior being under threat.

Comments

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Mar 05, 2022 05:45pm
She is 100 percent right. However, in the corridors of power and influence of the world dominated by Washington, D.C., who cares?
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Aamir Latif Mar 05, 2022 05:50pm
West has shown its true colors as deeply racists, indifferent to Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan...
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Rock Solid Mar 05, 2022 06:03pm
Absolutely true!
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Viru Mar 05, 2022 06:13pm
Difference is in Muslim countries the rulers themselves are the culprit
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M. Saeed Mar 05, 2022 06:15pm
We need millions of such voices already, for the long forgotten causes of keeping the world on crucible of injustices and unequal treatments.
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Ahmed khan lehri Mar 05, 2022 06:16pm
There is no answer of your questions with the west. When they answer you then they call you racist.
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Aamir Latif Mar 05, 2022 06:19pm
She is right
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Ahmed khan lehri Mar 05, 2022 06:23pm
The only voice for the suppressed people. Good going hadidi
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Ahsan Gul Mar 05, 2022 06:28pm
Hadid is absolutely right. Hypocrisy is so widespread in USA. Sincerely
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Enlightened One Mar 05, 2022 06:33pm
This is not the time to cherry pick victims and claim a priority on victimhood. Now one must stand in solidarity with the brave people of Ukraine against bully Russia.
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Ali Mehdi Mar 05, 2022 06:57pm
What bravery. What courage. More power n more courage to you Bella.
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Peace and Justice for all Mar 05, 2022 06:59pm
West double standard policy hurts the entire Muslim World, Israel bomb and killed Muslims specially in Middle East the West stay calm and when Russia invaded Ukraine the whole West crying for justice, Why? as human we should feel pain for all human equally, there should no West-East-North-South just as one nation under U.N. Flag.
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Syed Hasni Mar 05, 2022 07:22pm
Bella has a point.
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Dr. Salaria, Ahmed Part II Mar 05, 2022 07:30pm
Cant agree enough!
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Himmat Mar 05, 2022 07:37pm
What about injustice done to other communities by Muslims for ages? What about blasphemy laws?
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ABCD Mar 05, 2022 08:34pm
Wish these people to express their solidarity to killed Shias, Hazras and disappeared baloochs of Pakistan.
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1971 Mar 05, 2022 08:48pm
Does she wear hijab?
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Asif Mar 05, 2022 08:54pm
The best statement I heard in years. Very well done for saying this.
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Ali Sabir Mar 05, 2022 09:20pm
... Religion is the dividing line, and a strong barrier. The problem is not skin color.
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Bazinga Mar 05, 2022 09:34pm
Why?
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Bazinga Mar 05, 2022 09:34pm
Let her wear a hijab before picking up a pen
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Dessie Mar 05, 2022 10:26pm
phone home mover usa
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Fast comment Mar 05, 2022 10:26pm
There should be no war in the first place.
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F Nawaz Mar 05, 2022 10:36pm
Should be the UN embassador for peace.
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Mubashir Mar 05, 2022 11:03pm
@1971 Does she wear Hijab? No! and it is by her personal choice living in a state that gives her freedom to exercise it.
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Tamza Mar 05, 2022 11:59pm
@Enlightened One this is EXACTLY the time to make that point. Just like all the time is the ‘right time’ to call for gun control, but especially right after a shooting spree.
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Henchi Mar 06, 2022 12:02am
She's right and she should open up her check book and sign blank checks to the PLO and Hamas.
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Wasim Jaweed Mar 06, 2022 12:17am
@Aamir Latif and we are indifferent to our uygur brothers, she is 100 percent right on all of it including china
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Asim Mar 06, 2022 12:20am
I agree it does but thank Putin for actually diverting media attention. They are focused on what will get their business rolling so Putin's fueling their business.
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Wasim Jaweed Mar 06, 2022 12:27am
@1971 what does that ahve to do with anything?
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skb Mar 06, 2022 12:41am
@Enlightened One Go enlightened yourself more..
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jaredlee007 Mar 06, 2022 01:04am
Her point is for Muslims rulers also who do not care about fellow Muslims. Middle Eastern countries look down upon Muslims from other parts of the world. Before blaming the west, we should look in our own backyard.
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Ugly Duckling Mar 06, 2022 02:08am
Muslims are ALWAYS Innocent!
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Ugly Duckling Mar 06, 2022 02:09am
@Dr. Salaria, Ahmed Part II. Please agree MORE!
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Raza Mar 06, 2022 03:07am
@Enlightened One first stand with other oppressed than you would look good standing here
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Syed Ali Mar 06, 2022 03:23am
Thank you Bella Hadid. Over whelming condemnation of Russia in Ukraine and mean silence on occupation and killing of Palestinians in Palestine has exposed immorality of west specially USA.
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Amin Mar 06, 2022 06:58am
Very true
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nk Mar 06, 2022 07:09am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Do not very doctor US heading towards its doom.
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nk Mar 06, 2022 07:10am
@1971 Check out yourself.
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sama Mar 06, 2022 07:28am
sure Bella want to move to one of these countries and start wearing the hijab you recommend for other women???
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sama Mar 06, 2022 07:29am
@Ali Mehdi bravery?? she is sitting in a western country and spouting advice let her move to a Muslim country and wear the Hijab she recommends for other women
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Tadka Mar 06, 2022 08:20am
Fight for these causes without your acquired amerikan privileges then talk
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Timbuk2 Mar 06, 2022 10:26am
Bravo!!! BRAVO!!! Hallelujah!!
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Cholas Mar 06, 2022 11:15am
@Syed Ali Has the East condemened the agression? Why blame only the west?
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Bnmdicoot1 Mar 06, 2022 12:55pm
@Aamir Latif: Iraq and Syria are the work of Islamic State Muslims!And Dr Assad--the Muslim president of Syria! That Russia, Kurds, US, et al joined in for their own reasons, is secondary. The Ummah should have shown the earliest and greatest OUTRAGE throughout! Most kept quiet!
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Bnmdicoot1 Mar 06, 2022 12:58pm
@M. Saeed The Ummah is there to manage it! Do not expect the West to intervene out of charity!
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Bnmdicoot1 Mar 06, 2022 12:59pm
@Ahmed khan lehri : OR, U call them racist?
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Bnmdicoot1 Mar 06, 2022 01:03pm
@Ahsan Gul: WHO did the 9/11? Who should have shown OUTRAGE?
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Bnmdicoot1 Mar 06, 2022 01:05pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad: Why should the white man come to fix Muslim problems ?? You resolve your problems!
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Bnmdicoot1 Mar 06, 2022 01:08pm
@Ahsan Gul The West has NATO and U have OIC!UseOIC! India has joined the QUAD--We'll see how that goes! Iron Brother should help PK, but will it?
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Bnmdicoot1 Mar 06, 2022 01:09pm
@Peace and Justice for all: UN cannot do it --except diplomatically! Better: DO NOT start wars!
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Bnmdicoot1 Mar 06, 2022 01:20pm
@1971 Does Bella?
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Bnmdicoot1 Mar 06, 2022 01:21pm
@Ali Sabir: How about religion AND skin colour?
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Bnmdicoot1 Mar 06, 2022 01:22pm
@Mubashir But she may take India to court on hijab demands--with Ur support!
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Bnmdicoot1 Mar 06, 2022 01:24pm
@F Nawaz: On Muslim affairs only!
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Bnmdicoot1 Mar 06, 2022 01:26pm
@Henchi And take care of the ORPHANS!
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Bnmdicoot1 Mar 06, 2022 01:30pm
@jaredlee007 Right ON!
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Mahmood Mar 06, 2022 01:49pm
True. Except most Western media has labeled the Ukranian war and refugees as ''civilized from Europe" as opposed to poor, backward, uncivilized from the Middle East or Afghanistan. That's the key difference.
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Bunny Mar 06, 2022 03:25pm
56 muslim countries should unite and form some union like EU . This will stop other countries from infringing , land grabbing or whatever its called.
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Gamer Mar 06, 2022 04:39pm
@Bunny then what is ioc for
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SKF Mar 06, 2022 08:50pm
Huge respect for Bella Atleast someone has courage to say this
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Laila Mar 07, 2022 03:23am
@1971 well Palestinians seems to be OK with her not covering her head and strutting her stuff leaving not much to the imagination on international catwalks and gracing the fashion covers. In fact they are quite proud of her and claim her as Palestinian.
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Anonymouseee Mar 07, 2022 04:44am
Well said Bella Hadid.
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A Mar 07, 2022 07:01am
Pakistan should have supported Ukrainian and Uyghurs. This shown how helpless we are.
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Cholas Mar 07, 2022 10:25am
Name one muslim country that gives equal importance to issues in non muslim countries
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Cholas Mar 07, 2022 10:27am
@Bunny And the christain countries join together? Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Ready for that?
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Raheel Mar 07, 2022 02:29pm
Might is right and also whites are right. Wars are ok by the west. Wars are human right violations and war crimes if by anyone else.
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Amayra Singh Rajput Mar 07, 2022 10:34pm
First of all check your facts. There has been no hijab ban in India
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Hanna Mar 08, 2022 04:59am
Let's not make it an oppression Olympics bella dear
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Rehan ullah Mar 09, 2022 05:55am
West don't care about muslims, they mock muslims, now they advocating Ukraine but supporting Israel atrocities..
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