Media Watchdog
Nothing better to do? Wage war over Ayesha Omar's T-shirt!

Nothing better to do? Wage war over Ayesha Omar's T-shirt!

Did Ayesha's 'Little Miss Jihad' T-shirt really warrant such a reaction from people who sin, too, only differently?

Farwa Naqvi December 13, 2012

Recently there has been hot debate going on over a T-shirt Ayesha Omar wore in one of the scenes of the ongoing drama on Hum TV, called Zindagi Gulzar Hai.

There has been outrage on social networking websites (especially Facebook) and many people have been blogging about the huge offence to Islam that the T-shirt apparently caused.

The reason behind all the fury is not because she wore a T-shirt but because the shirt says ‘Little Miss Jihad’. It also sports a cartoon of a veiled woman with a bomb tied to the back of her head. The screen time of the actress in the offensive T-shirt was around 45-60 seconds - or maybe a few seconds more - and those few seconds have garnered tremendous fury from the viewers.

Few people remembered that ‘Little Miss Jihad’ is actually the name of a movie.

Sentiments of people across the nation have been hurt and they have not tried to hide the pain. It is understandable; after all, jihad is an important and sacred part of Islam. Muslims have been known to react over huge offences to Islam like amateur movies, derogatory cartoons, which represent the sick mentality of the artist and, now, T-shirts.

People have reportedly been spamming Ayesha Omar’s Facebook wall with curse words and profanities.

According to them, they are fulfilling their duty as a Muslim.

(Ayesha Omar's Facebook post. PHOTO: SCREENSHOT)

I even saw this comment on her page:

“That #%@&% has defamed the name of Islam. ^^$%#^*O....”

Now, people here they can sit back and be as immoral as they want in peace as their duty towards Islam has been fulfilled.

I am not debating about whether the actress’ action was right or not. Even if she did it on purpose - which she says she didn’t - it doesn’t matter because she did nothing wrong!

The pious Muslims who are condemning her for her actions and telling her to seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT) are the same people who are not hesitant when it comes to drooling over her beauty. Is this not 'immoral' and against the teachings of Islam?Yet, for them, wearing a T-shirt with an offensive slogan is more disturbing than the brutal murders and destruction of property in the name of Islam.

Isn’t torching cars and buses and killing minorities in the name of Islam, an insult to jihad? How come we see no blogs or outrage over these blatant acts of terrorism, but are infuriated over a T-shirt?

My point here is that what has Ayesha Omar done that is so new? All of us make jokes about our shortcomings as a nation on a daily basis. We lie, we cheat, we backbite and commit all the sins we can, then curse the infidels and go to sleep. Yet we have the guts to stand up as representatives of Islam and declare her hell worthy - a decision only Allah (SWT) can take. Even the ‘misled’ actress knows that the authority of labelling others does not lie with us, and that mistakes should be forgiven, so why make a mountain out of a molehill?

Need I even mention the great sin we commit by trying to take divine decisions?

This is not our job. Leave it to Allah (SWT); forgive and move on.

Read more by Farwa here or follow her on Twitter @fbNaqvi

WRITTEN BY:
Farwa Naqvi A Mass Communication undergrad and a blogger, Farwa tweets as @fbNaqvi. https://twitter.com/fbNaqvi

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (134)

Free niqabi | 11 years ago | Reply Just to respond to all this...I wear abaya and the veil and yes the t-shirt is offending. Reason being that it is telling all that yes niqabis are terrorists.. Are you for real?? Mind you I don't live in Pakistan and after seeing how people think its no biggie shocks me.. And the media promotes this is mind boggling...living in a non-muslim country and as a working woman I'm surprised my own are promoting this about niqabis subhanAllah... No one is perfect yes but to make fun of people like that associating them with suicide bombers... Really I just can't comprehend!

Shahood | 11 years ago | Reply Well that's totally offending....undoubtedly offending. Its true that she can wear anything she likes but see when u r presenting yourself to general public, u have to be really careful in what u say, what u wear and how u behave. When u r to appear on a channel, u don't wear just anything, u think about it for many times and then make an informed decision. And that's what's troubling me; why would she want to take the trouble of selecting such a T shirt? What message did she want to convey? That was a dumb decision....wearing that shirt and even dumber is this article favouring her choice and all. I agree that ppl shouldn't be extremists when it comes to Islam but then they shouldn't also be that easy going about it.

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Progressive | 11 years ago | Reply Ayesha Omer is not naive. Nor is the director who has scrutinized every detail before the final shoot. Everyone who thinks its not a big deal is living in a box and oblivious to what is happening in the world. Pity the come-easy thought that " what will the prudent minds out there will think". Well. The really well-read and the most prudent and most intellectual "out there" think like us too.

S-H | 11 years ago | Reply We dont care if Ayesha Omar wears a bikini on a Thailand beach because thats her personal life. .but she should have shown a little more sense of responsibility when coming on air. By wearing that piece of crap, she has proved that she is no different than the conservative mullahs and so called self proclaimed liberals like her friend anoshey ashraf. You just cant come out and do wehatever you want on TV ! Come on get a life....

BachelOrBoy... | 11 years ago | Reply @ayesha zahid: n if we muslims are here to close our eyes if someone makes fun of our islamic concepts then we must go ahead n change our relegion … LaHol wala Quwat.... Listen lady, as long as whole maladoptation in society is concern, u chose Islam it's meditation, that's better... But on other hand u by urself is showing urself a courage less lady... I mean ComOn little lady, think mature...

ayesha zahid | 11 years ago | Reply n if we muslims are here to close our eyes if someone makes fun of our islamic concepts then we must go ahead n change our relegion ...

ayesha zahid | 11 years ago | Reply those who think that we have a lot more issues like "poverty, no electricity, no gas, no clean water, corruption and the list goes on and on and on" i have a question to ask them! do we have any concern with our relegion islam or do we have liberty to make fun of islamic concept like jihad??? its an unethical practice n media is suppose to give respect to not only islam but every relegion!

Red | 11 years ago | Reply Naila "Islam has > 1.7 billion followers, and if you arent gonna join them, then atleast respect them." Respect doesn't come from numbers. It comes from actions. I'm not going to respect anyone simply because he or she is a Muslim. That would be incredibly stupid. It's not even related to Islam. I wouldn't respect anyone based on their personal beliefs or lack of them. That tells me nothing about how good a person they are or how kindly they act towards others. Next you'll be telling me to respect moulvis because they teach the Quran or priests just because they are priests...I suppose I should forget that many of them molest little children? This will of course lead you to conclude that none of those pedophiles (or terrorists, murderers, thieves and rapists) are "true" Muslims (or "true" Christians). We'd have to first arrive at a definition of a real Muslim then and then we'd have to significantly amend your figures. You see where there is going? I'd respect a person even if he started his own religion and was that religion's only follower if he was a good, kind person. I'm on board for buying that T-shirt now even though I hate the color. I'd wear it as my own little social protest for the support and propagation of tolerance and freedom of expression. People wear things all the time which offend me. I have seen men wear particularly misogynistic t-shirts that have offended me as much as the "bomb" has offended some people. If I kicked up a fuss every time some little thing offended my sensibility I would never any work done in a day. I maintain, it is not a big deal.

Human | 11 years ago | Reply From where Can I get this Cute T-Shirt ? Anyone please

Some One | 11 years ago | Reply Get a Life , Live & let Live & Mind your own Business who wears what its a cute T-Shirt you don't like it Close your eyes .

Parvez | 11 years ago | Reply It is a religious concept but not exclusively so and that is why I used ' to the enlightened mind ' in reply to the other lady's comment. On the use of Gandhi as an example I got it from Wikipedia under ' usage of the term ' and I liked the example.

gp65 | 11 years ago | Reply @Parvez: Not tying to be disrespectful or argumentative. I understand that jihad does not have to be violent nor did I imply that. I am also not assiging any negative connotation to the word. But whether internal or external, it is still part of the Quran and has a religious context does it not? In other words the only thing I am surprised by is your statement that it is not a religious concept. The thing is Gandhi ji (Please note spelling) described his movement as satyagraha (satya = truth, agraha = insistence). I am not aware of any reference by Gandhiji or anyone else including the Muslims in Congress like Maulana Azad describing his movement as a jihad. I am also not aware of a single call for jihad by a single non-Muslim, so would definitely appreciate a reference if you can provide one.

Parvez | 11 years ago | Reply @gp65: I really would not like to get into this but since you ask I interpret jihad ( an Arabic word ) simply as a struggle. It does not necessarily have to have a religious connotation but it is extensively connected with Islam and commonly but wrongly understood as being violent in nature. Small example is Ghandhi's satyagraha struggle for Indian independence was a jihad.

gp65 | 11 years ago | Reply @Parvez: "For the enlightened mind jihad is a non-religious word" Please prpvide a reference to a single instance where jihad is referred to in a non-religious sense. Also do provide a reference to anynon-Muslim who has given a call for jihad. I agree with the rest of your post by the way.

Sikandar KhokhaR | 11 years ago | Reply @Naila: Well said, and Jihad is'nt name of imposing war or exploding Bombs arround; it is more prosper name of self-accountability and reformation of Ones' own self.. More importantly, we Muslims should'nt rely on Media that much so that they could contaminate our emotions that easily, media afterall is evolutionized form of Joker playing dirty pricks against weaker on Globe to excite its' power-Holding Masters...

Naila | 11 years ago | Reply I dont care about who that girl was or why she was wearing that T shirt. What i actually care about is the fact that people do not think that it is offensive. Jihad does not mean war, as depicted on her shirt. I do not have a problem with the text, neither the burqa clad woman. Just that bomb crosses the limits. Oh, and everyone who is saying that "it is not even offensive", "not even a big deal", "no need to make everything islamic", Islam has > 1.7 billion followers, and if you arent gonna join them, then atleast respect them.

Sikandar KhokhaR | 11 years ago | Reply * Just a curious question…. What’s more offensive? This T-shirt or those see-through / skin hugging Kameez that reveal all the curves / under garments?! * Baby, are u made up of Ice-cream?? Or unique Gold ridden curves on ur body like mermaids?? Or if any other thing making u feel much special than other females, so feel free to mention it specifically... Whichever might be giving u feeling of superiority over others in addition authorising u to make mokeries on ur own fellow beings...

Akhter | 11 years ago | Reply @Pessimist: Truly Second your sentiments regarding the incredulous bigotry that exists in our society, I for one am fed up with increasing influence of the Religious police who decide what we can watch what we can wear and what we can read. Its just a T shirt! In order to develop at a societal level we need to be able to Laugh at ourselves and not take offense at the slightest sign of humor.

Sikandar KhokhaR | 11 years ago | Reply Have red some where in Research methodology, that there two ways of conduting research i) Qualitative and ii) Quantitative... Qualitative research in broader prospective focuses on ratio through numbers, statics and graphs should be shown by doing some empirical research on practical basis, while Quantitative research gives idea through theoritical approuches... Now, Qualitative research which emphasis majorly on an individuals' more practicalness than to assume everything conceptually, says Television or overall mass-media related instruments effect subjects' mind more in idle societies like us, and that is the reason for which Mass-media is considered a framework of archiving cheaper and instant success, therefore, in my view these above mentioned criterions of Qualitative approuche should be prevent than to balatantly ignitating such kiddish things into issues...

Midhat | 11 years ago | Reply @Pessimist: That was exactly my point! Its not our business to insult and object to anyone's choices. if I expect my burqa clad friend not to generalize and insult my choice of dressing up in western attire, I should also extend the same courtesy. Being liberal means you respect people's choice even if you dont agree. You dont have to be rude and insensitive to act liberal. You dont agree with certain choice of dress good for you, but dont judge, stereotype and infringe upon someones right to chose differently.

JoJo | 11 years ago | Reply I say off with the shirt!!!

stop insulting islamic pillar | 11 years ago | Reply @Loneliberal PK Jihad is one of islamic pillars and many scholars consider it as a six piller.there are many hadiths which i can show you about jihad.even it is not consider it but Muhmmad pbuh did it in his life so makeing fun of jihad like this way is not appropriate at all. I think,she is not child who dont know what is wrriten on her shirt. Hijab is the islamich teaching and for us the Example is Muhmmad pbuh wife khadija ra and daughter fatimah ra, who wear hijab not woman like her.

Parvez | 11 years ago | Reply @Working Woman: For the enlightened mind jihad is a non-religious word. Tolerance is a virtue all religions preach, sadly you fail to understand this and as such you dwell in a place where I certainly would not like to be.

BachelorBoy | 11 years ago | Reply Wow... SomeOne should learn from our media, the technique of making issues from non-issues sort of things.. If I'm not precieving wrong this Article is a marvelous triumph of boosting viewership of that above mentioned Drama serial..NoOne would have hardly noticed this thing before the Article has came out from ET... No doubt we have very amature media, they don't care how their fustaining techniques would effect on premature minds, but the only thing they might keep in view is directing masses toward fury and fanaticism through their dirty contracts of messing up with minds.. Do anyOne knows what Islam really wants us to be?? If yes than, He or she should have less care about such none-sense delibrate dilemmas of letting technical people play with their minds and beliefs... I'm not in favour of Ayesha Omer or defending against the fuss has been created.. The only thing wanting u all to understand is do practise Islam instead of popularising and promoting cheap media-men/women, who r learnt to be limitless in persuit of fame by any means.. Let's say in One voice, "O media, don't mixup ur cheapness or induldge ur mokeries with Islam ever"....!!

Asma | 11 years ago | Reply Isn’t torching cars and buses and killing minorities in the name of Islam, an insult to jihad? How come we see no blogs or outrage over these blatant acts of terrorism, but are infuriated over a T-shirt? True.

Saad | 11 years ago | Reply It is baffling how nobody seems to accept the fact that other people may have different opinions, and the right to believe in those opinions. How anyone not agreeing with @pessimist is a 'fake wannabe liberal' (thats a thing now, i hear), and whoever thinks they feel offended believe all others should feel the same. If our tribune-commenting-community (less than one percent of our population) is so 'tolerant' about other people's beliefs, think of what the rest of us are capable of. no wonder our country is in all this mess.

Loneliberal PK | 11 years ago | Reply Burqa is an "Islamic pillar" now? Back in my days, there only used to be five. Every week, we seem to be adding a new pillar based on arbitrary, cultural preferences.

Observer | 11 years ago | Reply ..and we call ourselves a proud musilms..! Making fun of our own religion.. Fornorly!!!

stop insulting islamic pillar | 11 years ago | Reply plz stop insulting islamic pillar, have you forgotten that one day you have to meet Allah?(kia ap log bhul gay ho kay aik din Allah say mulqat karni hai?)

Pessimist | 11 years ago | Reply For gp65: In a nutshell: yes. I guess I am a feminist :/ Who woulda thunk it!? I must add, I always argue for women to have equal rights. What I do not advocate is women getting special treatment purely because of their gender. The idea of quotas for women is something that I can not agree with. But that's a separate issue and I don't think ET is the place for that.

No name | 11 years ago | Reply Another time wasting issue this "Pakland of Problems"

gp65 | 11 years ago | Reply @Pessimist: "For gp65: Isn’t that a rather soft definition of feminism? I always associated feminists with hardcore female rights" IT's the only definition I know. In the early part of 20th century, feminists in US were fighting for a right to vote. The other feminist issues in US are to preserve the right to choose and prevent reversal of Roe vs Wade decision, equal pay for equal work etc. In India, the issues are more basic - remove the gap between male and female literacy, halt female foeticide, prevent underaged marriages and pregnancies of girls, reduce maternal mortality etc. In Saudi Arabia the issues are even more basic - allowing a woman to drive a car, go somewhere without a Mehram etc. To me these are all hardcore female rights issues and my sense is that you would support them all.AM I wrong?

Pessimist | 11 years ago | Reply For gp65: Isn't that a rather soft definition of feminism? I always associated feminists with hardcore female rights. Judging by the Webster definition I guess you could call me a feminist. Interesting :/ For Ann: I guess the feeling is mutual now :)

gp65 | 11 years ago | Reply @Ann, @Pessimist,: OK, so clearly I misread it. I thought the response was rude (not harsh) but it was directed to you, so if you didn't find it rude then it wasn't.As long as you both understood what you communicated - good for you.

gp65 | 11 years ago | Reply @Pessimist: "I’m not a feminist, I don’t think so. I sometimes stick up for women and their rights, you can’t classify that as feminism now can’t you?" You know yourself best. If you say you are not a feminist, who am I to argue with you. I will provide a definition of feminism as per Webser dictionary: "the theory of political, economic, social equality of the sexes" A feminist is anyone who supports feminism. So let me put the question back to you. Based on this definition do you consider yourself a feminist? (By the way when I said you were one, I meant itas a compliment in case I was not clear)

Ann | 11 years ago | Reply @gp65 Who was harsh? Him? Seriously was that rude? @Pessimist I love you even more!

Sarah B. Haider | 11 years ago | Reply @HolierThanThough: Can't agree more!!!

Pessimist | 11 years ago | Reply Faraz Talat Pessimist, I’ve made my reservations against face-covering perfectly clear on many occasions. It’s a self-imposed restriction that is detrimental to women’s own social welfare. Whatever it is that the veil represents, it does not represent terrorist psyche. A desire/obligation to wear a niqab is not necessarily associated with a desire/obligation to perform a suicide attack. I said so in my previous rant that this was directed towards those women who commit terrorist attack using a burqa (not hijab etc). Plus I also mentioned on the various forms of scarves etc. It would be inconvenient to go into a debate about the 'desire' to wear niqab, but even you can not deny that women (even men sometimes!) use the burqa as the perfect cover up for their crime. Again, that's a separate issue. For gp65: @Pessimist: Agree with your thought process. Was unclear why you chose to be rude to @Ann when all she did was pay you a compliment? By the way, your opinions on women allow me to classify you firmly as a feminist (which in my value system is a compliment) yet elsewhere I have seen you diss feminists wholesale as a class? What gives? I don't think I was harsh to Ann. I was joking in fact. If I came across as rude then I apologise to her. She didn't reply, was she put off? :0 I'm not a feminist, I don't think so. I sometimes stick up for women and their rights, you can't classify that as feminism now can't you?

Pervert | 11 years ago | Reply Everyone here, Calm down, there`s nothing to worry about .. it was just a plain shirt with a silly-picture and even more sillier slogan.

The Khan | 11 years ago | Reply this drama did nothing but exploit the general sentiment currently on show in Pak.

gp65 | 11 years ago | Reply @Faraz Talat: "Even the liberals need to admit that is offensive to stereotype niqabi women as suicide-bombers" First it appears to ba a buirqa not a niqaab. If there was such an attempt to stereotype, it would have bee unfair. But characterising the act of wearing a T-shirt as stereotyping is just lame. Agree with rest of your comment. @Max There is much more explicit stereotyping of Hindus via textbooks and Ahmadis and Shias via wall chalkings and TV shows. Not to mention stereotyping pashtoons as terrorists in all kinds of Pakstani songs. Plus US as evil empire in songs like Bum Phata. All these deliberate stereotyping are oka and evoke no outrage? Even though promoting these stereotypes has led to deaths and oppression. These are dealt with silence and yet a mountain out of molehill is made out of this T-shirt? @Pessimist: Agree with your thought process. Was unclear why you chose to be rude to @Ann when all she did was pay you a compliment? By the way, your opinions on women allow me to classify you firmly as a feminist (which in my value system is a compliment) yet elsewhere I have seen you diss feminists wholesale as a class? What gives?

Ammar | 11 years ago | Reply This is such a great shirt -- lighten up guys, its just a SHIRT!!! Start Complaining about the other freaks out there

fadi | 11 years ago | Reply its our resposibility to respect our relegion

Tayyab hasan | 11 years ago | Reply what the hell with these people when they watch dramas like Ishq e mamnoo which is full of nudity then what the hell wrong with this T-Shirt. and Always Remember you will be responsible for your Actions not mine or someone else and if you think there is something wrong then there are many options available for you to stop this....

Faraz Talat | 11 years ago | Reply Pessimist, I've made my reservations against face-covering perfectly clear on many occasions. It's a self-imposed restriction that is detrimental to women's own social welfare. Whatever it is that the veil represents, it does not represent terrorist psyche. A desire/obligation to wear a niqab is not necessarily associated with a desire/obligation to perform a suicide attack.

Nitish | 11 years ago | Reply Infact T-shirt is outrageous but then people shouldnt go violent.I think enough is said through social media(as depicted) and actor has apologized.So its done and people should move a head.Religious issue in pakistan is very dangerous and always blow out of proportion.People shouldnt give it more air specially educated class.Other than The tees Girl is really cute......

Manan | 11 years ago | Reply BTW if generalizing all the burka clad women as terrorists is bad, generalizing all bikini clad women as beyghairat isn't too civilized either.

Manan | 11 years ago | Reply Kill the juice!!!!! this is obviously a Zionist conspiracy

Pessimist | 11 years ago | Reply Faraz Talat Even the liberals need to admit that is offensive to stereotype niqabi women as suicide-bombers. Which brings us to the million dollar question: What exactly does a niqabi women represent? Oppression? Modesty?

Human | 11 years ago | Reply @Pessimist: Wow what a reply I totally agree :) Good one

The Rebel | 11 years ago | Reply I'm sick to the core after realizing that majority of the people over here are calling for Ayesha Omar's head (in a figurative sense, not literal, thank God). At this rate we need to clone many more @Pessimists if we're to have some semblance of a normal, healthy society. See, the thing is, we Pakistanis are willing to attack any person whose views differ from us. We simply cannot show tolerance and respect the other person's views. And that in itself is a major problem. Islam has taught us to respect other religions and people who follow them. But do we? No. The rights of minorities in this country are a joke. We're an intolerant, hypocritical society. No matter how much you try to justify some of your actions using the classical cliche 'Islam says so', it cannot be done. Because you see, every other person out there has his/her own interpretation of Islam. There is no unity. Shi'as/Sunnis/Ahmedis are arguing/fighting amongst themselves, and then we have the audacity to say Islam is a perfect religious model to follow, when even we are not sure of our identity ourselves. No wonder then that we're a laughing stock for the West so many of you abhor. First correct yourselves, and then have the cheek to point fingers at the Western society. In a free thinking society, people are bound to get offended by views they dont share, but does that mean we go on an abusing spree? Learn to respect other people's views, only then can you as much as dream of getting some respect back. I bet Ayesha Omar is still a better Muslim than many of the people here hiding behind their computer screens. And Im pretty sure God wont be sending her to hell for wearing this T shirt. Please stop destroying my beautiful country due to your narrow mindedness and blind acts of madness.

Intelektual | 11 years ago | Reply Have there been no Suicide Bomb Blasts in the name of Jihad (not saying who ever did that! not comenting that they were ryt or r0ng) !! Have there been no female suicide bombers ! Y cant it b a guy inside a veil/Burqa wearing the bomb?? What is the peoples problem then !! If these are all facts protesting and blaming and cursing wont change the reality !!!

sattar rind | 11 years ago | Reply we lost the sense in all the way... however nice article

Pessimist | 11 years ago | Reply Ann @Pessimist Dude I love you. I wish I could say the feeling is mutual :)

Pessimist | 11 years ago | Reply I see only one person has replied to my comment while the others keep yapping. I wont individually answer the other comments but I'll relpy to the only person who countered my opinion. I consider the fact that a lot of people seem to be irritated by this as a positive thing. It's kind of like that Tarro Song by Ali Gul, it has touched a nerve. Anyways, Midhat wrote: You are missing the point of the fury . Even many liberals are offended! The reason being thats its generalizing women and playing up to a steroetype! Even if we set aside and ignore the religious and Jihad context , showing burqa clad women as terrorist is demeaning! I dont wear burqa but my some of my friends do and it did get me uncomfortable. And while many teenagers do wear such shirts, media specially when it has all sorts of audiance should show some responsibilty! So all women who choose to wear bikini on beach and skimpy jeans in malls wear it to satisfy the males desires??? do you see the faulty logic? Its so offensive and demeaning to hear people insult our intellegince, liberties and freedom of choice. Stop generalizing. Come to USA and see many young edcuated and independent Muslim women wearing hijab and Burqa out of their free choice. Even in Pakistan, many , if not majorty choose to wear. STOP GENERALIZING and insulting women’s intelligence! I've said in my previous post that if you're a true liberal and not a fake wannabe liberal, the t-shirt should not offend you at all. It may seem insensitive, but it is pointing out a reality that many in our hypocritical society consider too taboo to talk about. It is not generalising ALL women, just those who commit terror attacks using a burqa and let me assure you, that is not fiction. If it got you uncomfortable than it means that the point was made. You see Miss Midhat, you know who is under the burqa, but 99% of the world does not. I guess from now on I should start wearing masks to my office and claim that 'religion' told me to do so. So all women who choose to wear bikini on beach and skimpy jeans in malls wear it to satisfy the males desires??? No, they do it because they feel comfortable in doing so. What a lame arguement. The logic is not faulty because there is NO logic. Believe it or not, I have lived in the US, UK and now in Europe, so I'm no narrow minded idiot as you claim me to be. I think the fact that women resort to covering themselves in a sense of 'security' and 'modesty' is absurd. I have come across some very attractive women in my life, but I don't think I feel the need to rape, harass or molest them because they choose not to cover up. Furthermore it's ironic how women seem to have accepted burqa as a part of religion. THe burqa and abaya, I believe, is part of the Arabic culture which we Pakistanis have bent over to accept. The dupatta is our culture, I think. Can someone verify? Now before you go on attacking me with further nonsense, I realise that burqa, hijab, abaya and niqab are different things (wow). Whilst I am not fond of any of them, I simply depolre the burqa. In a modern 21st century, that is the very last thing you need. You can go on wearing whatever the else you like, and feel 'good' about yourselves. Before I stop this rant, can somebody tell me, WHY on earth do MEN care about whether a women chooses to cover up or not? It doesn't make sense. Women don't go around telling men to keep beards or what to wear. It simply baffles me.

A Fatwa against me? | 11 years ago | Reply Just a curious question.... What's more offensive? This T-shirt or those see-through / skin hugging Kameez that reveal all the curves / under garments?! ;)

Aasim Mukhtar | 11 years ago | Reply @ MAD "I do not care whether Ayesha Omar wears anything or not, I am least concerned with what is on her shirt. If Little Ms. Jihad is written fine my issue is with the image of a burka clad women withe explosives. Now that is something truly demeaning to all women who wear a burkha/ niqab." You look quiet offended from the image portrayed by Ayesha Umer's Tee.. But where were your sentiments when a few hundred women wearing black veils were yelling Jihadi slogans on the streets of Isloo.. Was it not more demeaning to the women who choose hijab to cover thier modesty?? The point is that we start making issues out of non-issues and either ignore or at times support things that create real issue in the society..

Working Woman | 11 years ago | Reply @Parvez: Jihad seemed like a non religiuos word to you.. Where do you live? If joke is supposed to be anything then remove ethics from Dictionary. Suggest it to Oxford too.

Look Who is Talking | 11 years ago | Reply I would only say... Y to fuel the fury... You should have known better and you surely know how sensitive Pakistanis are; or for that matter any Muslim when it comes to their religion. Our nation is going through tough times and is on a path to change and such issues will only fuel the fury...Lets get our basics right before speaking about liberalization, freedom of speech bla bla bla Your existence in this world is not a mere chance..You have a purpose to serve and you will be questioned hereafter.. All those who are condemning this defamatory act are serving the purpose... Our nation does not have the mental capacity to debate on such sensitivities and wider impact it has on the general public...after all we live on general perceptions.. We all know the rights for women slogan in west...Women indeed have been empowered. Women have gained equality, freedom and equal rights but have lost their value and their purpose... Women are an article of beauty, faith, piousness and everything that sets the house in order...Islam offers you all that western women have fought for without loosing value and purpose...I am sure all you narrow minded ppl and western ideology torch bearer won't understand. We need to evolve but at the same time we need ensure keeping our fundamentals intact..

Zalim singh | 11 years ago | Reply Please remove that T-shirt. Cute looking girl, though.

Nasir | 11 years ago | Reply chill karo yaar !! people would always have opposite opinions

Parvez | 11 years ago | Reply Agree with you. Nicely reasoned. Ayesha Omer did nothing wrong wearing the T-shirt. Those who are bringing religion into this decidedly need to seek professional help.

Dr.Hassan | 11 years ago | Reply Very well said Miss.Farwa.Well done.I have nothing to say because you have very well explained the sick nation in this article.This article should be an eye opener for our shameless nation who do not even think for a second when it comes to burning buses,properties,killing minorities(Muslims and Non Muslims both) in the name of Islam.But these are not the teachings of Islam.Everyone here has his own definition of Islamic teachings.

H2A | 11 years ago | Reply It seems to me that "most of the" Naqqabis I have ever met are generally stern, arrogant and intolerant in their behavior. Just because they wear a burqa, they consider them superior specie than other women. They also think that it;s their utmost responsibility to accuse other women an insult to Islam because of their "western" attire. These are the female version of movlis, who do not do Burqa because they think they should do it and earn some modesty and grace, but to humiliate other women for their lack of Islamic behavior. Isn;t it true that most of the extremists and orthodox females do wear Burqa? We never saw a bikini wearing women bashing people for ignorance about religion and blasting bombs. So why are they making a fuss on what Ayesha was wearing? Fix your attitudes and show some grace. Not everyone is here to please you and your views. Neither Islam is that vulnerable to be insulted by every little thing. Ayesha Omer attire was not an insult to Islam, Islam is far more greater than to be insulted by a shirt. It was YOU who got insulted so just leave it here and move on. If you want people not to associate your veil with extremism, then show it to the world by showing grace rather than forcing others to respect you!

Kamran Qadri | 11 years ago | Reply P stands for Pakistan and P stands for Paranoia, people in Pakistan are Paranoid,they have a misconception that attacking people in the name of religion will earn them a ticket to Heaven, they forget God will have list of all their deeds on day of judgement , verbal curses will not help them.

Ann | 11 years ago | Reply @Pessimist Dude I love you.

Red | 11 years ago | Reply It's a cute shirt. I am trying and failing to have a negative reaction to it. I'm pretty sure it was meant to be cute and humorous rather than offensive. But okay, I'll bite and say it's offensive. I still don't think it's a big enough deal to generate the reaction it has.

Iftekhar Khokhar | 11 years ago | Reply @Anoushey Ashraf: @A Fatwa against me?: I think this sort of instigation should have been avoided. Aisha Omer has expressed her concern on her FB page stating "".... it was a big blunder on her part including others"". Given this fact, you should not comment in favour of this controversial T-shirt. I wonder Sultana Apa couldn't notice such a lapse!!! ""Uzr e gunah badter az gunah"" is a famous quote. Anoushey Ashraf, please try to understand.

Iftekhar Khokhar | 11 years ago | Reply @A Fatwa against me?: I think this sort of instigation should have been avoided. Aisha Omer has expressed her concern on her FB page stating "".... it was a big blunder on her part including others"". Given this fact, you should not comment in favour of this controversial T-shirt. I wonder Sultana Apa couldn't notice such a lapse!!! ""Uzr e gunah badter az gunah"" is a famous quote. Anoushey Ashraf, please try to understand.

rida | 11 years ago | Reply @HolierThanThough: i doubt ur statement about buying the shirts.

fasi | 11 years ago | Reply "I am not debating about whether the actress’ action was right or not. Even if she did it on purpose – which she says she didn’t – it doesn’t matter because she did nothing wrong!" Dear Author: "I am not debating about whether the actress’ action was right or not" OK I agree with you here BUT "Even if she did it on purpose – which she says she didn’t – it doesn’t matter because she did nothing wrong." You just changed your stance in the same sentence. For a minute I thought you were not going to Judge the actress' action to be right or not but the BOOM you just said she did nothing wrong?

fasi | 11 years ago | Reply LOL the comments are more interesting than the article itself (which btw is awful but anyway.) Ok so she wore a t-shirt that disrespects the burka wearing woman. Clearly, actors think ten times before they wear something on screen. They have professional people who actually plan what they have to wear for a particular shot. People who defend her actions do not understand the value of Jihad and Burka in our society. Not everyone in this country is a "burger" like you and can be cool with it. People in the west already consider Muslims as terrorists, we do not need to spread that image more by wearing such t-shirts on national television.

Max | 11 years ago | Reply @Anoushey Ashraf: For someone who's been in media for so long, your post on this forum is sadly lacking in coherence. Allow me to break it down for you. What your friend did was stereotyping. Of a group. On mass media. Now you may be too insensitive and ignorant to care about stereotyping, but most educated people are not. Please consider the negatives of stereotyping: a. we oversimplify - reduce individuals to the characteristics of the group leading audiences to believe that all people of a given type share certain negative characteristics. b. we make hasty assumptions and judgments on the basis of situational factors that may be largely irrelevant. c. we contribute to prejudice (dislike of a particular group) and discrimination (preventing members of a particular group from gaining equal access, opportunities, resources, etc.) While you're at it, let us know what other stereotypes would you like. Show some character and face the facts. Your friend is at fault here. You're not helping her case any with your feeble defense of her misled attempt at being cute and witty.

HS | 11 years ago | Reply The mere fact that Ayesha actually apologized for wearing the shirt goes to show that she realized it was wrong and offensive. All of you defending her should take a chill pill.

Pro Bono Publico | 11 years ago | Reply Dear Farwa, I am sure you must have heard ".Strike While the Iron is Hot.." Congrats..you've just hit the bull's eye. This meagre-baseless-issue was raised so that tons of overly-frustrated-awaam can start banging their heads on, which is true and just happened. Its high time we as a nation should adopt a more meaningful and a mature attitude and shun ourselves to more resourceful debate. I believe this is just similar to Venna-Malik's isi tattoo drama.

Mikaail | 11 years ago | Reply As always, the real issue gets overrun by stupid debates over religion, liberalism and all the 99 other isms. The only problem with her wearing this on television is that its degrading, demeaning and misrepresenting a certain faction of our society who do wear burqas 'and don't have a bomb tied to their back'. You liberals can cry about how our society is on its way to eternal doom because of people's holier than thou positions on these matters. And the "I'm offended" crowd can scream and shout about how her t-shirt has offended them. Both these groups are mindless duds. This T-shirt shouldn't offend any Muslim, chill the heck out. But wearing this on t.v is as idiotic and controversial as Veena Malik sporting an ISI tattoo on her arm. Besides, like I said earlier, it's a misrepresentation of burqa-clad women, and an offense that they are well within their right to take. It's degrading for them. Finally, the author makes some really childish arguments. Little Miss Jihad being a movie title changes nothing. Learn to present an argument which makes sense.

Farwa | 11 years ago | Reply I see people are reacting to the blog the same way they reacted to the T-shirt all over social media. Sigh. I have good reason to believe most of the comments had to be censored. For people who didn't entirely understand my disagreement with people who condemn this 'serious issue'; the reason I don't like people being so furious about it is because I don't think Ayesha Umer is the one who 'made fun of' or 'insulted' Jihad. She isn't the one who gave Jihad the face we and the rest of the world sees today. We never openly came out to register our protests against the militants who are responsible of representing Jihad like this, who kill innocent people, tell people, including Burqa-clad women, to blow themselves up to end up in Heaven. That is not Jihad. Plus Jihad isn't a 'pillar' of Islam. All this T-shirt represents is THEIR mentality with a bit of humour. If you associate yourself with them, you will be offended for sure. 2nd, for people saying protests are being carried out against target killing and other incidents of terrorism: if I, or anyone else, would have written against people who made our lives hell saying they are protesting against the movie would you have applauded that? I don't think so because, even though it feels bad admitting it, we react blindly. Where we hear anything related to religion we go mad without thinking what impact our reaction can have in future. So please don't claim you 'protest' against terrorism because apparently you can't really identify between protests, Jihad and terrorism. I'd recommend most of you to calm down and clear your minds. That said, thanks for the feedback. Much love, Farwa.

Hairaan | 11 years ago | Reply Nothing better to do? Defend Ayesha Omar's T-shirt.

Nydah | 11 years ago | Reply ok so she made a mistake, now what? Do we keep lambasting her and blaming the chanel igniting more hatred in the process. I am a staunch Muslim and if i have the heat to forgive her, then i think we all can do it. Give her a break and move on. We agree that media should be more responsible; our responsibility as a Muslim is to raise our voice to stop any atrocities and unjust but what does quran teach us? if someone is repentant of their actions then forgive them. I think this is the most likable virtue by Allah, which everyone fails to practice. And i'd like to clear this misconception here that we as muslims are allowed to take matters into our own hands and murder and kill ppl. We voiced our anger, vehemently, and made them realize that such negligence is not acceptable. In response she admitted that she made a mistake and apologized for it, now leave her alone. Let Allah be the judge of it.

OCP | 11 years ago | Reply If it's wrong to “bring religion into everything” then would it not be equally wrong to force people to leave religion out of everything? Just a thought.

HADI SAKEY | 11 years ago | Reply Islam is not involved Pakistanis have become too much narrow minded. I Pakistan there is no research. no invention No investigation. They are involvred in useless matters. Shia, sunni, Qadiani etc. foghting. killing each other. Man has kept steps on Moon and Mars but Paktanis are noy able to determine the path to progress

Iftekhar Khokhar | 11 years ago | Reply This is highly exploiting! What was the necessity for this adventure?? No instigation at all. Proper care must be exercised in selecting attirel.

Amna | 11 years ago | Reply To everyone who doesn't find this offensive: What if the shirt said "lil miss slut" and showed a woman dressed in skimp clothing....I am sure all "Pakistani Liberals" would be offended. It is portraying burka clad woman as terrorists by default...that is the problem. The same shirt without the bomb strapped behind the woman would have been perfectly non-offensive. As a Muslim, I totally acknowledge that I am a sinner, and I do not consider myself an authority on Islam. However, wearing that shirt shows a lack of consideration on her part...people should not try to justify this by pointing out how wrong Pakistanis are in so many other respects. That does not mean this is okay...please compare apples with apples.

shahzad hussain | 11 years ago | Reply @Anoushey Ashraf: Mahi As pillar of a state, Media should play a responsible and positive role in building a society. People belongs to every walk of life are responsible to justify their action/assets etc etc in apex court(Talk shows) of media. So media should also be responsible for their every action."keya media waly doodh ke dholay huwa hain?, take example of mubashir luqman scandle and so many others you people much better than me. As an actor/actress, one should take care of her/his fans( how they will react). What Ayesh omer had done is huge blunder, an actress ever made. Even she even don't know what would the impact of her dressing.* You people know that media is contributing a lot in framing people minds.if someone write "miss lil jihad" on his/her t-shirt. So i think they are making fun of Islam. No body has the right to do so. This something very common as Muslim, to understand what is write and what is wrong, at least in our daily life. (please share my comment i will be thankful to you)

Faraz Talat | 11 years ago | Reply Even the liberals need to admit that is offensive to stereotype niqabi women as suicide-bombers. The reaction, however, has been disproportionately explosive. If this is the best example you can come up with to criticize the liberal "extremists", then I'd say the liberals are a pretty harmless bunch overall! Offensive T-shirts are not the opposite, equally detrimental extreme of terrorism apologia!

Zaara | 11 years ago | Reply @HolierThanThough: hey where can I buy this T-shirt?? is it available in other colors?

Insaan | 11 years ago | Reply @Working Woman: "Don’t think the image is disturbing for a woman who wears an abaya , works in melbourne, is tagged pakistani national?" Well she chose to wear "abaya" and get "tagged" as Pakistani National. T-shirt is just a joke. Truth is suicide bombers are being used to do Jihad in Pakistan. Why don't people find that disturbing and protest. I know many Muslim families in and around Washington DC, most women don't wear any hijab or abaya and no one bothers them.

Midhat | 11 years ago | Reply @Pessimist:

I think the fact that women have to wear a burqa to satisfy the male egos of this society is more demeaning than this shirt

So all women who choose to wear bikini on beach and skimpy jeans in malls wear it to satisfy the males desires??? do you see the faulty logic? Its so offensive and demeaning to hear people insult our intellegince, liberties and freedom of choice. Stop generalizing. Come to USA and see many young edcuated and independent Muslim women wearing hijab and Burqa out of their free choice. Even in Pakistan, many , if not majorty choose to wear. STOP GENERALIZING and insulting women's intelligence!

Midhat | 11 years ago | Reply @Anoushey Ashraf: @ Author: @Pessimist: You are missing the point of the fury . Even many liberals are offended! The reason being thats its generalizing women and playing up to a steroetype! Even if we set aside and ignore the religious and Jihad context , showing burqa clad women as terrorist is demeaning! I dont wear burqa but my some of my friends do and it did get me uncomfortable. And while many teenagers do wear such shirts, media specially when it has all sorts of audiance should show some responsibilty!

Rizwan | 11 years ago | Reply agreed that there should not be fuss over such things But after all the T-shirt is a text of mockery; why we blamed Europe when they caricatured Islam and the prophet (pbuh) ? In sociological discourse such attitudes are outcome of "assimilation", which is inevitable since every cultural item is imported from the west.

Bilal | 11 years ago | Reply @HolierThanThough: where do you belong

Mahi | 11 years ago | Reply I partially agree to the writer,what Ayesha did is indeed wrong but,who are we to decide who is hell/heaven worthy?that's plain silly on our part. @Author: Isn't torching cars and buses and killing minorities in the name of Islam, an insult to jihad? How come we see no blogs or outrage over these blatant acts of terrorism, but are infuriated over a T-shirt? There are millions of blogs berating those who commit such ^^ crimes you mentioned above,get your facts straight,lady ;)

Naseer | 11 years ago | Reply Also, I completely disagree with the author saying " She did nothing wrong: . I mean seriously? Did u even read what the t-shirt said?

Naseer | 11 years ago | Reply All u Liberals who're saying " pakistani pakistani qoum has nothing better to do than complain to the channel and actress about the t-shirt incident, while shias boris and people from other sects and/or religion r being killed". Let me remind u that this is not such a small issue. Just tell me why the hell would any muslim wear such a t-shirt??? If i knew her personally, i'd obviously ask her why on earth did she even buy such a shirt. On top of that she is wearing it on television. Mind u, i do not approve other people abusing the channel and the actress but the channel is at definite fault here so stop trying to defend her by commenting that people should focus on other things. It was directly offensive to every muslim . the thing is, she's not even apologising and instead saying stop blaming me and the channel.

The Rebel | 11 years ago | Reply Haha. Kudos to the people of Pakistan for making an issue out of nothing. Seriously, sometimes I wonder if God actually put a brain in the people of this nation. Us Pakistanis get offended by the slightest, stupidest actions of another person, and that is precisely the reason we are the butt of every joke in other countries. The T shirt was supposed to DEPICT HUMOUR. Please, for the love of God, grow out of the narrow mindedness that is completely destroying this nation. And anyway, it's not a secret that many terrorists disguise themselves as women by wearing a burkah, while having a bomb strapped to their chest. It's light humour, while also showing the increasing reality. STOP BRINGING RELIGION INTO EVERYTHING. Jihad ka naam to ab mazaak ban gaya hai. Every Tom, Dick and Harry is out on the streets every other day performing 'Jihad' by burning cars, destroying buildings, and yes...killing innocent people. That's the message that the shirt was intended to give in a humourous way. And for the last time, live and let live. We have much bigger issues in this country that need to be fixed. A t-shirt is the least of our concern.

Faizan Shaikh | 11 years ago | Reply Y this....... Y not a T-shirt saying "I hate America" ?????? or "Osama better than Obama"....... or....Even "Islam is the best Religion" ?????????? The truth is whether someone likes it or not. Our media and their personnel are directly involved in acts that hurt our Pakistani people's sentiments......... Gr8 job guys...... u will be highly rewarded by the sources having the banner of Anti Pakistan...!!!

Ayesha Pervez | 11 years ago | Reply "Yet we have the guts to stand up as representatives of Islam and declare her hell worthy – a decision only Allah (SWT) can take." I like these lines from your blog ...

Pessimist | 11 years ago | Reply I'm always pessimistic about Pakistan's future when I see how narrow minded, idiotic and overly sentimental people are when it comes to religion, a topic which they know absolutely nothing about. There was nothing wrong in this t-shirt. Pakistanis always display this hypocritical holier than thou attitude. Baring a few sensible posts here, everyone else has written absolute nonsense. I'll start: MAD wrote: If Little Ms. Jihad is written fine my issue is with the image of a burka clad women withe explosives. Now that is something truly demeaning to all women who wear a burkha/ niqab. I think the fact that women have to wear a burqa to satisfy the male egos of this society is more demeaning than this shirt. That's a separate topic, one which the average Pakistani does not have the intellectual capacity to debate about. In short feel free to live and dress as you please just make sure you do not offend others while doing so Your sentence is an oxymoron. You can not dress freely while at the same time expect not to offend others. With so many diverse views in society, you are bound to offend someone. Do you think before you write? Doolittle writes: One more excuse to switch over to dubbed Turkish serials… The Turks are WAY more tolerant than us when it comes to religion. You see, they've evolved and moved to the 21st century. There are many things in Turkish shows which conservative Pakistanis find offensive. Urghhh... Tiger911 writes: Respect Religion, you will be respected in return! Learn to respect people's opinion and other religions, then perhaps you might get some respect in return. Anum writes: How do you know that we don’t condemn acts to terror or burning of public property etc? OPEN YOUR EYES!! How many burka clad women have burned buses and public property in Pakistan? Don't condescend me with your nonsense. Pakistanis DO not condemn acts of terror. Our numbness & stupidity has allowed it to become a part of our daily life. It's not condemnation. You ask about burka clad women? Have you ever seen a protest by the female wing of the JI? Look again. Do you recall the burqa clad women of the Lal Masjid? They were absolute saints weren't they? Silly woman. Perhaps you also must have missed stories of how burqa clad women are used as suicide bombers? Did that fly over your head. Rk writes: I m quite a liberal woman but this shirt was actually shocking and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing on national television! .... Jihad is a pillar of Islam and we have all studied that and we all know that, lets not make a mockery out of it by showing such shirts on national television. I think the lady asked for it!!! She should hv been more sensible. First of all, you are NOT a liberal. You're a liberal by word, not by action. Had you been a liberal, you would have ignored it. Jihad a pillar of Islam? This shows how brainwashed you have become. Jihad is NOT a pillar. Which school did you go to? Lastly you blame Ayesha Omar for this? I suppose you also blame rape victims since they "asked for it" and "should hv been more sensible". Shame on you. I hope ET publishes my rant. I have chosen select comments because the fact they are recommended by many must mean similar people agree with them. There are some well written comments, so all is not lost.

Tch tch | 11 years ago | Reply I actually found this blog more offensive then the stupid T shirt....

Israr | 11 years ago | Reply Ayesha, you and your director are very befitting for the following sheikh saadi's phrase: Dar Gardan-E-Khar Tauq-e-Zareen Mu beenummmmmmmm It really does not make any difference to those who don't know the sensitivity of the situation. You mother-pidar azaad can say anything coz most of the times you are drunk and out of senses.

Tribune Reader | 11 years ago | Reply Seriously I am yet to figure out what the big deal is, what the big issue is? Does it merit being given a second look, thought or a tribune blog? I seriously do not get it, I didn't even know it was a big deal till this blog showed up. What is going on?

Working Woman | 11 years ago | Reply @HolierThanThough: Can't you see lady in abaya and bomb at her back? Don't think the image is disturbing for a woman who wears an abaya , works in melbourne, is tagged pakistani national? Or should she get over with it?

Twittistaan | 11 years ago | Reply when you know it's wrong, then why are you defending it?

A Fatwa against me? | 11 years ago | Reply @Anoushey Ashraf: Totally agree with you! I am an educated, practicing Muslim living in Karachi, but I don't find this T-shirt that offensive. It's just a t-shirt with a little humour printed on it. The picture shows just a cute character which has called all this offence. Why?! Sorry to say, but we need a Tolerance Immunization for the entire nation. True; Pakistan ka Khuda hi Hafiz!!!

umar | 11 years ago | Reply If you put this shirt for sale n stands i bet 1000s of people will buy it :p

Random | 11 years ago | Reply So its allowed to do adultery because so many other bad things are happening ?

zainab | 11 years ago | Reply religion is of prime importance in one's life.it represent who we are and if we cant respect that than we are more disgusting than a worm without backbone if u cant follow what is right than atleast dont mock the people for whom its really important and the excuse that the actress didnt realize the content of the shirt would hurt people sentiment is complete bullshit she is pakistani and a muslim she is not from mars....

Rk | 11 years ago | Reply I m sorry but this short is very very offensive. I m quite a liberal woman but this shirt was actually shocking and I couldn't believe what I was seeing on national television! Plz! U can blame the 'qoum' for whatever reasons but wearing a shirt with a burqa clad character with bombs strapped is NOT appropriate at all for our religion, especially in times like these. Jihad is a pillar of Islam and we have all studied that and we all know that, lets not make a mockery out of it by showing such shirts on national television. I think the lady asked for it!!! She should hv been more sensible. It can NOT be an oversight or a mistake ok, a lot of effort and thought goes into the wardrobes of all these dramas and its pathetic how this one has been a 'mistake' as per her words!

Huma | 11 years ago | Reply Hmmm... Taken ppl a week to get to this one... Slow ho gaey hain... I saw it, thought, "oops! The sh*t is going to hit the fan" and then forgot it. Thori si brains should've been used by the production. Aa bail mujhay maar!!

I'll Buy that Story | 11 years ago | Reply A person who generally spends hours on perfecting every attribute of her appearance before appearing in front of the camera forgot to see what was the print of her t-shirt. okay, got it!

A Fatwa against me? | 11 years ago | Reply Amazing how we can make an issue out of a total non-issue! Nobel Prize for that, please! :)

Anoushey Ashraf | 11 years ago | Reply Being Ayesha Omar's great friend and a VJ myself. People, get a life. Not everything in life is to explode your brain over. I don't see what's there to be taken such a big deal over?! That's only being criticized because it has on aired on media, tons of shirts are being used by our youngsters which carry many weird tattoos and wordings, does anybody notice that? Trying to express about MORALLY DEAD NATION'S some dark circles. Think of it around you and try to rectify as much as you can.. Once you stand up, everything will be streamlined !!! Strange how some people (who claim to be muslims) have started abusing her. They say she insulted Islam.. Har koi maulvi bana phirta hai is mulk mai. Har kisi ney apna alag Islam khool liya hai. What a nation, they can get offended by videos, they will get offended by a 14 year old girl, they will get offended by a T shirt, what is next you will get offended? Spare me the horror. Don't you know that the rest of the prudent world is really getting offended by you ?? All the holier than thou Muslims so offended by this image...are real idiots...I mean they really are as pious Muslims that they claim to be...they shouldn't have even been able to SEE this image in the first place. Aren't they supposed to look away when an unveiled woman comes in front of them? Seriously what hypocrisy. A 13 year old girl gets shot in broad daylight...and a freaking t-shirt causes offence and hurts sentiments. Pakistan ka sach mein Allah hi hafiz hai

Aizaa | 11 years ago | Reply Well, ask the women who wear hijab/niqab how it feels to have been portrayed like that :)

Ashar | 11 years ago | Reply Why is it that if we point out something wrong we get told to think about something else? Why can we not accept what she did was wrong? I read her original apology (which she later removed) and believe me the initial wording left the reader wondering why is she using such a weird way of apologizing?

Aisha | 11 years ago | Reply Kudos to Ayesha Omer for wearing the T Shirt. Jihad is over run and overused and offers no real solutions in the modern world. The world is sick of it and the least we can do is T Shirt it.

M | 11 years ago | Reply @GhostRider: Oh come on. She's just an easy target so everyone decides to put their two cents in on the issue. Since everyone is on the same page on the problem of corruption, there's no debate so the TV-drama-watching goldfish-memory types like most of us don't bother discussing it.

Waqas | 11 years ago | Reply Nothing better to do? Write a blog about it.

Loose | 11 years ago | Reply i dont when she came to drama SET that day, no one would have noticed or complemented the T-shirt. I actually consider this kind of acts as TESTERS set to see if any body reacts or not ... If no body have bothered than she might have worn that on another episode or anyone else couls have ... But with this reaction, the director n actor both will have this in mind.... i personly feels about it, n i would have reacted to by posting something on her wall, or sending her a msg.. but actually you guys r not the one to decide, on which issue ppl should react n on which not to ... cant you see the no of mails BBC gets in case of even minor jewish or racial joke... why cant be the case ova here... ** Abusing is not a way to protest...

Pessimist | 11 years ago | Reply Tell me, where can I find a Mr. Jihad t-shirt? I think the comment which best convey's my views is from HolierThanThough: Just bought some 10 T-Shirts… we friends are ggoing to wear it to college tomorrow. Koi dimagh kharabi ka bhee level hota hai in socalled Musalmanon ka, Jahils dont speak up when Muslims like Shia’s, Bohri’s etc and Ahmedi’s are killed. But Li’l Miss Jihad is written on a T-shirt… such a bad name to Islam. Mental Patient hay yeah qoum. Haha!

Bisma | 11 years ago | Reply We as a nation are too faraigh to worry about such silly trivial things, go get a life people there are huger issues to deal with in our country, naming a few.. poverty, no electricity, no gas, no clean water, corruption and the list goes on and on and on

GhostRider | 11 years ago | Reply great minds discuss ideas ordinary minds discuss people...sadly we have gone so low that this t-shirt is more important than the corruption and injustice in this country...sigh

Anum | 11 years ago | Reply @Author: This is a rubbish blog with blind generalizations and half truths!! "Isn’t torching cars and buses and killing minorities in the name of Islam, an insult to jihad? How come we see no blogs or outrage over these blatant acts of terrorism, but are infuriated over a T-shirt?" How do you know that we don't condemn acts to terror or burning of public property etc? OPEN YOUR EYES!! How many burka clad women have burned buses and public property in Pakistan?

Amer | 11 years ago | Reply @HolierThanThough: The problem is more with the picture on Omar's T-Shirt. It's very simple to me, if you don't give respect you won't get it in return. I might also get 10 shirts printed with remarks about crazy Mental Patients like yourself and give it to my friends but that will just take me down to your level and no one would want to get down there.

Bane | 11 years ago | Reply Got a new issue after some respite..lets promote it and come out on the streets for the protest..while destroying everyone and everything in between..

O2 | 11 years ago | Reply I think all of us should give respect to other's, after all women who wear Burkah have same right as any other women! Its the image which is offensive since it generalised all women who wear Burkah as suicide bombers! what if I wear a T-Shirt which generalises women who don't wear a dupata as something bad in our society? I'll be attacked obviously :) so please do not generalise anyone, show some respect. P.S its really sad to see people objecting on this issue in a very obscene & uncivilized manner, we need to grow up now & act like a responsible citizen, discussion can be done in a respectable manner as well.

user | 11 years ago | Reply Very dumb decision to wear the t-shirt, especially when you know how twisted people in this country are. The drama's 'trying to be cool' idea fell flat on its face. Btw, that image is quite offensive. Even if it wasn't, it is definitely not something that you would want to wear on satellite tv, knowing the typical mentality of your audience.

SK | 11 years ago | Reply well, it is no small issue. We do not hesitate over blaming the west over the kind of image they are portraying on the media for Muslims, and of course even this adds on to it. Even a 40-50 second scene can cause a massive effect! Honestly, how stupid these television people are, they should know their audiences, and should show scenes accordingly. Showing disgraceful images on the television and then apologizing for it is not going to work, they need to think before portraying any kind of image that they show on the television! Being a mass communication student urself, i cannot believe you are actually supporting the television team for this act! :s

Working Woman | 11 years ago | Reply Wow Wow Wow.. You made me say this Author. Congrats. Before I say anything else, Let me make it clear that the way people have shown their offence on social websites is absoultuely NOT justified. One may rate actress's act as Right/Wrong only but using abusive language and going all ahead is NO GOOD. For Author, please don't VOID the importance of effects that Media & Images have on their viewers and specially the reputation of whole nation. If something goes on air and production sector earns fame, they should be ready to hear about the wrong that is committed too. Actors/Actresses are embassadors of nations. We can't deny this reality. What they wear, what do on TV does impacts. An abaya/burqa is a look. Who has given TV channels a right to make fun of it either Deliberately or rashly? Can you really pick up something good out of it? All curiuos to know. author: "Need I even mention the great sin we commit by trying to take divine decisions? This is not our job. Leave it to Allah (SWT); forgive and move on." Are you nuts? you are down here as a Vicergent of God. Take on your responsibilty without being abusive and say wrong as wrong and stand by thr right. No body is perfect. I do one sin and don't do the other, but saying this doesn't mean that you can't declare wrong as wrong. auhtor: "How come we see no blogs or outrage over these blatant acts of terrorism, but are infuriated over a T-shirt?" Open your eyes lady. That are thousands out there.

Tiger911 | 11 years ago | Reply Respect Religion, you will be respected in return!

Shah | 11 years ago | Reply To be honest the issue should be taken seriously. The reason is to show responsibility. Our media is ameteur. And they need to learn the importantance of how to deal a situation. When you come on camera one has to be very careful. Even if it said some thing against a Minorities, serious action shoud be taken. I am noticing with time that our Media is emphasing on showing their opinion. Anchors take sides etc etc. Any ways I agree what MAD (comment above me) has mentioned. I dont agree that our people start burning buses, shops etc but Media should start acting responsible.

HolierThanThough | 11 years ago | Reply Just bought some 10 T-Shirts... we friends are ggoing to wear it to college tomorrow. Koi dimagh kharabi ka bhee level hota hai in socalled Musalmanon ka, Jahils dont speak up when Muslims like Shia's, Bohri's etc and Ahmedi's are killed. But Li'l Miss Jihad is written on a T-shirt... such a bad name to Islam. Mental Patient hay yeah qoum.

Analyzer | 11 years ago | Reply "...and those few seconds have garnered tremendous furry from the viewers." If people are getting 'furry', it's probably coz of the winter and not her t-shirt. Anyway, that shirt is demeaning to all burqa wearing women, and they (both the girl and channel) should have used better judgment.

Doolittle | 11 years ago | Reply One more excuse to switch over to dubbed Turkish serials...

MAD | 11 years ago | Reply I do not care whether Ayesha Omar wears anything or not, I am least concerned with what is on her shirt. If Little Ms. Jihad is written fine my issue is with the image of a burka clad women withe explosives. Now that is something truly demeaning to all women who wear a burkha/ niqab. Is it really a non-issue or anything different than the outrage being expressed over Aii Gur Pirs video where a scene with a character staring at a child is being played up. It is just as demeaning. That shirt was offensive and should never have been on a TV. In fact even wearing it anywhere is wrong. In short feel free to live and dress as you please just make sure you do not offend others while doing so and just cause Little Ms Jihad is the name of a movie that makes it all right. Maybe now you're demanding that Muslims protest against that film too.

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Nothing better to do? Wage war over Ayesha Omar's T-shirt!

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