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'People started judging me before watching Astaghfaar'

Published: July 23, 2012

Actor says she is very religious, no third person can judge how religious she is. DESIGN: ESSA MALIK

Veena Malik’s Ramazan show “Astaghfaar” was cancelled after the promo received immense criticism from the masses, but the actor finds it sad that people started judging her before even watching the show.

“Even before the show was released, people started saying that Veena Malik is not allowed to do this show. It is very sad,” said Malik in an interview to BBC Urdu. “Neither did people see the show nor did they know what the show is like. It would have made sense if people reacted at the end of the show, but this does not make any sense to me… It was very very strange behavior.”

When asked why the show was called off, Malik said that she did not know the inside details, but she knew that the channel received a lot of “serious threats”.

Describing the show, Malik said, “This is a beautiful concept and I have not done a show like this before. In the holy month of Ramazan, I made an effort to learn something related to religion and I made an effort to sit with people and interact with them as to why this is a blessed month and what good things we should do in this month and what all do we need to learn in life.”

But when a caller asked whether her future will be a religious one or one full of scandals, Malik snapped back saying that people are being judgemental when they say there is a rift between her and her religion. “Religion is a very personal matter for me. I am very religious, but it is something between me and my God. I don’t think a third person can stand in front of me and judge how religious I am or I am not.”

Another caller asked her to move towards religion, to which Malik said that she had been studying Islam since she was ten. “The difference between me and others is that I have read the Holy Quran with translation, which most people do not. I may not be a complete or perfect Muslim, but I constantly try to understand Islam better.”

Malik also hinted that she might join politics as she has done social work and knows people well, but when asked about marriage, Malik was clear that she is “not in the mood”.

“When the time is right, I will get married.”

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Reader Comments (44)

  • Zalim Singh
    Jul 23, 2012 - 4:25PM

    brave girl here.

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  • SalSal
    Jul 23, 2012 - 4:27PM

    People are judging you by your works Veena. By what you have done/accomplished/achieved.

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  • Taimur
    Jul 23, 2012 - 4:30PM

    What a freakshow.

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  • Mj
    Jul 23, 2012 - 4:30PM

    “Religion is a very personal matter for me. I am very religious, but it is something between me and my God. I don’t think a third person can stand in front of me and judge how religious I am or I am not.””

    People don’t give her enough credit for being an open-minded, honest, and tolerant person. I bet Ms. Veena learned a valuable lesson on herd mentality backed by irrational hatred and religious views.

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  • Akshay
    Jul 23, 2012 - 4:32PM

    Shame on the people who missed the Golden opportunity to interact with Veena Ji.

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  • haider rizvi
    Jul 23, 2012 - 4:37PM

    she is a very good actress,,she can do any type of role,she can do comedy , political, typical punjabi ,typical wife ,parody songs,, nude photo-shots, every type of role she can do…even religious as well…the only thing on which she is dependent is that,,how much they are paying her…this is a real actor…doing astaghfar in most expensive dress cosmetics jewelry is this is called a religious person or religious role-play??? she is a real actor.Recommend

  • Rabz
    Jul 23, 2012 - 4:38PM

    Tribune to the rescue

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  • faraz
    Jul 23, 2012 - 4:46PM

    If religion is between you and God, then why were you repenting for your sins on public TV? She just wanted to earn money using religion; that’s hypocrisy. I prefer her nudity over this hypocrisy.

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  • Acorn Guts
    Jul 23, 2012 - 4:50PM

    It is about time she learned that in Pakistan, anything that goes against the flow of mainstream ‘vetted’ Islam is a heresy. We have conformed the religion and the concepts to suite our needs. You can’t understand it any differently.

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  • Jul 23, 2012 - 4:56PM

    Pakistani Muslims lost a fresh perspective on Islam and Ramadan from Sister Veena – its time we ceased pre-judging people who may have been able to teach us either about Islam or about ourselves rather than shunning or making a pre-takfir on them

    Mohammed Abbasi
    Association of British Muslims

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  • Be balanced and logical
    Jul 23, 2012 - 5:05PM

    Can we ignore this Madam “Nobody”…?? ET!!! please stop giving her any space on your news pages…!!

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  • leave us alone
    Jul 23, 2012 - 5:23PM

    veena don’t you have enough “fame” now. go to Antarctica please. leave us alone.

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  • Mr S
    Jul 23, 2012 - 5:26PM

    People don’t need to judge you further. Good to see you are being ignored by the Pakistanis.

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  • maestro
    Jul 23, 2012 - 6:08PM

    No Veena – people are judging you by seeing you in your full glory in India sweetheart. Will this sensationalist nonsense media stop giving attention to cheap thrill seekers? Recommend

  • Mr m
    Jul 23, 2012 - 6:22PM

    perhaps she shuld strt following the religion fr a change… our religion doesnt tell women to get naked and do item numbers for the masses… mebe she shuldve thot abt dat bfore doing it. of course ppl wil get judgemental on her.. i mean on one is perfect of course.. epr lokat what she has given the masss to go on…

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  • sensible
    Jul 23, 2012 - 6:25PM

    what a waste of space!!!

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  • Muneeb Tahir
    Jul 23, 2012 - 6:31PM

    just one expression hahahahahahaha……Hypocrisy at its best.religion is a private matter when it comes to her but she is well off being a televangelist giving religious sermons to the rest of the nation.

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  • Hardliner
    Jul 23, 2012 - 6:32PM

    we dont need to judge u……… we all saw ur pictures and n do hear ur news every now and then……….!! so spare us of the crap…………

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  • Imran
    Jul 23, 2012 - 6:34PM

    Veena gi, don’t blame to anyone, I think you should focus your character and try to decide what you r trying to be. You cannot select two way at a time. Think and make a right image.

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  • Mubashir
    Jul 23, 2012 - 6:45PM

    I am not against Astaghfar. God is Rehman and Raheem. What I don’t understand is why charge 4 Million for seeking forgiveness?

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  • mb
    Jul 23, 2012 - 6:57PM

    take this as a clue Ms. Veena!

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  • Adnan
    Jul 23, 2012 - 7:04PM

    No, they’re judging you after Channo and your wonderful poses for magazines :)

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  • Abdullah
    Jul 23, 2012 - 7:09PM

    but seriously, do we need Veena Malik in a religious program? Have all the scholars of country died? If religion is a personal matter, why repent for you sins on a public TV?Recommend

  • Nafisa
    Jul 23, 2012 - 7:14PM

    Shame, we judge people just cause they sin differently from us.

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  • Toddler
    Jul 23, 2012 - 7:14PM

    Veena and those in amphathy with her, should feel the paws of the cat called “democracy”. Its nice and furry when calm, but otherwise when its not your kitty. If people dont want to see her putting another performance of her religious acting then democratically she cant do anything about it. After all its the people who made her what “she is” and if people dont want to see her as what “she is not” then she should respect it instead of name calling the masses. Not sure what she was trying to pull off with such shows when she was getting enough money in another field. She can do all her astaghfar in her personal relationship with God.

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  • saad aziz
    Jul 23, 2012 - 7:40PM

    I agree with veena

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  • sharjeel
    Jul 23, 2012 - 7:54PM

    @Mohammed Abbasi:

    No. Just No.

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  • haroon ali
    Jul 23, 2012 - 8:42PM

    If religion is between you and God then why are you trying to sell it on a t.v channel? If you try to do that, then viewers have all the right to judge you as much as they want. Keep your religion/hypocrisy inside your house and no one will try to judge you.

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  • Waqas Butt
    Jul 23, 2012 - 8:47PM

    Veena jee, please leave us alone. You are one of the most innocent girl that nation has ever came across. Please take a moment, think about what you are doing, and what you must do. May Allah show us all the right path, and make our end illustrious. Ameen

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  • Arsalan khan
    Jul 23, 2012 - 9:20PM

    Why Veena is being singled out? She is certainly less hypocritic than most of the Ramazan – anchor persons.
    Look at that fake doctor who was caught talking obscenities in interval of his religious program. Another doctor who is hosting Ramazan Show had been heading state PTV at a meagre monthly pay of eight lakh rupees! The viewers want to know how much these brokers are being paid to act as symbols of piety on screens.
    Veena is better than all these cranks

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  • Fahed Pervez
    Jul 24, 2012 - 12:27AM

    Veena i am not here to supported you but would like to gives some comments as there are all very well debater and true religious.., The massive difference between you and other is exposing .. what you’re exposing its what you .. but what others exposing is what they are not.

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  • Babbarsher khan
    Jul 24, 2012 - 12:33AM

    @Be balanced and logical:
    You have the option bro, do not read news related to her if you do not want to give her any importance!
    As regards to Veena, she is from a different league when she says ” “Religion is a very personal matter for me. I am very religious, but it is something between me and my God. I don’t think a third person can stand in front of me and judge how religious I am or I am not.”. For lot of our compatriots this is beyond comprehension! I In our communal thought process Gen. Zia still lives on!!

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  • Waseem
    Jul 24, 2012 - 12:34AM

    Veena
    Please do Pakistan a GREAT favor. Stay in India they DESERVE you and you DESERVE them……

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  • boltanaujawan
    Jul 24, 2012 - 12:51AM

    People judge ones behaviour on the basis of ones past actions. She has neither sense of following religion nor has any credibility init. How did she expect such a big deal of positive response from people?
    Islam is the religion of perfection; it allows the people to transmit the Islamic knowledge when you have a credibility of applying the same knowledge in your behaviour. We can take the excellent example of our Prophet, who represented us the same practices in His actions, that He said to people for following in their lives.
    she should change her behavior first by applying the islamic practices in her life, so that her words can reflect the peoplesRecommend

  • Veena is doing Right thing
    Jul 24, 2012 - 1:25AM

    Veena is doing right thing.

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  • Nono
    Jul 24, 2012 - 1:26AM

    if the taliban and mullahs can use or misuse religion to achieve their objectives, why cant Veena do it. she is a gutsy woman.

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  • Dasmir
    Jul 24, 2012 - 1:44AM

    Who is not Ghunahghar Please stand up.
    Veena is heck of a girl who deals with life on her own terms.In true spirit of her religion,there is no one between her and her Allah! Chickening out of TV producer bares all the cowardice that is so much there in media.Nothing on people zibahing Pak soldiers,nothing on attacks on shia,nothing on attack on ahmedia mosque! But pick on some one like Veena! Pity media.

    Go Veena go. You are one of the best example of bravery and courage in a country known chickens!

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  • remo
    Jul 24, 2012 - 3:20AM

    I think if that other clown Amir liaqat or Shaista Zaidi had launched this show it would have gain some ground..but i dont think even western cultures would have allowed Madonna or Lady Gaga to see a mockery of Islam/Christianity.. it wont fly..

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  • Prabhjyot Singh Madan
    Jul 24, 2012 - 4:22AM

    Veena Malik is great !!!! Honestly, she is talking all the things a normal human being would say. I wish Pakistan had a few million more women like her because of her sense of dignity, truthfullness and bravery. We Indians love you Veena and hope your respectful show is reinstated. Take care

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  • Sohaib
    Jul 24, 2012 - 5:30AM

    i am sure the tears in the promo were also real :/

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  • ThisMeansWar
    Jul 25, 2012 - 12:34AM

    @Dasmir:
    Everyone is Gunahgar.. But you need not to be on public tv for Istaghfar. Neither you need to be naked in India for Ishtehaar, or start exposing yourself Lagataar… I hope I am clear enough.

    And Ahmedia MOSQUE? Seriously, MOSQUE is for Muslims. Make up your own word for them…Recommend

  • Mughal
    Jul 25, 2012 - 9:45AM

    “The difference between me and others is that I have read the Holy Quran with translation, which most people do not. I may not be a complete or perfect Muslim, but I constantly try to understand Islam better.”

    Remark:
    That was evident in Big Boss while you were giving lessons to Ashmit. Veena the Evangilist.

    In the holy month of Ramazan, I made an effort to learn something related to religion and I made an effort to sit with people and interact with them as to why this is a blessed month and what good things we should do in this month and what all do we need to learn in life.”

    Remark:
    Veena you should take private lessons on Islam by engaging some religious scholar, we should not be the victim of your televised learning for God’s sake.

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  • Jul 25, 2012 - 12:10PM

    Please report this channel and show to pemra please and also say your friends and every to report this channel
    we not want that she came on-air

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  • Maryam
    Aug 9, 2012 - 10:11PM

    First of all “Hahahahaha” Second thing that this channel it self has NO RESPECT and is not decent either. Third thing is our very own “VEENA” she was better doing nudes shots than coming on Islamic program, as everybody said that if she truly needed repent, she should have done it privately, Islam is not a game that everybody can do whatever suits him/her. Its shame that people use religion to gain some attention. Please, soo called moderate muslims, before you comment go and read Quran and understand basics of religion. There is no modernism in religion first and has some roles, example of our prophets living to spend our life according to it, and guidance in Quran and sunnah. Only lack of knowledge people would appreciate someone like her. May Allah guide her and all of us on the right path and give us true knowledge of our deen, ameenRecommend

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