When the promo for Veena Malik’s Ramazan show “Astaghfaar” made the rounds on the internet Monday evening, a large chunk of internet commenters were appalled. “I am Veena Malik. In the entire month of Ramazan, I will seek forgiveness for my sins and yours, with you on Hero TV,” Veena says in her promo, with a slightly quivering lip and tear-streaked cheek.
Before we launch into a discussion on how outrageous it is that Lady Scandal herself will be on our TV screens all 30 days of this holy month, let’s talk about how this show came about and what this Hero TV is that has given Veena this platform to purge her soul of sin. Hero is a new infotainment channel that airs what the awaam demands. The producer of “Astaghfaar” explained to The Express Tribune that after Veena approached the team for a Ramazan show, a poll was conducted online. The poll asked the question: who is the sinner of all sinners? The options were (in this very order): siyasatdaan (politicians), police walay, Veena Malik and gharib awaam (the poor). Believe it or not, Veena Malik was voted the sinner of all sinners by a sweeping majority. If this is really how Pakistanis feel about her, what better than to give them a live show where people can call in and share their stories of atonement?
For those who think Veena is a brave voice in a country where such voices are stifled, “Astaghfaar” may be disappointing. Veena was heroic because she was her own person – she didn’t need to apologise. She wasn’t representing a commercially viable brand of religion and made it clear that she didn’t owe anyone an explanation. But now she wants forgiveness for her sins
But here’s the alternative view. As the idea of religion in Pakistan is fast becoming idealistic and almost elitist, Veena’s Ramazan transmission is going to open some space, pushing boundaries far enough to take away religion from the hands of the selected few. She is not a thief or a murderer. She is a woman who is unapologetic about being herself; why should that give people reason for a public outcry against her doing a religious show? Why should a woman whose topless pictures were aired on television, not be allowed to ask God for forgiveness on that same forum? It’s about time Pakistani audiences are given some space to breath and religious bigots are given a run for their money. If the outlandish Aamir Liaqat can talk about Islam, why not Veena?
In a country where TV ratings mean everything, Hero TV – a channel for the masses – will give us food for thought during a long month of fasting. If their aim is to get eyeballs, then hats off to them for pulling this off.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2012.
COMMENTS (111)
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@saleem: I wish there is a dislike option available ...!
ET, Just run an online poll and let's see. Veena all the way for Ramzan!
Very Well Written Article. One Ask Forgiveness From Allah SWT Not From Public!!!!
Holy Ramadan Is A Blessed Month full of Blessings. A Person who have enough knowledge about Ramadan and religion can best Host The Show for Ramadan and i doubt Veena if she knows anything about this.
We Have taken religion as joke here in Pakistan. Let Alone amir liaqat has played enough with Islam.
One Should remember that the Prophet Muhammad and his companions gave so much of sacrifices for Islam and Then A woman Like veena will Preach the teachings of the great Prophet of Islam...
This seems Insane!!!!
And Sorry to say But I am so against of all these Maulvis who claim that they are the best and they know everything,
Its better To Have a hand Shake with The Devil rather than Talking and arguing with the Maulvis!!!!
There is nothing wrong in Veena seeking forgiveness for her sins.......This is a private affair and she could do it easily in her home and does not need to go public......but her choice as a host for the ramadan shows is highly insensitive and downright ugly on the part of this unknown Hero TV....Keeping in view her past performances, it is highly likely that she might wear tantalizing dresses and put up fake acts of shedding tears on the screen, making a mockery of this holy month...what a shame that our religion is being commercialized
Do you have an appetite for Veena in Ramazan? ---- Are you kidding? ----Anytime! Veena would be just fine both at Sehri and then at Iftar time.
Just because she has not been trained in one of Jamiat Ulmai Islam madrassahs (owned by His Highness Molana Fazal ur Rehman, sponsored by his corruptions) and has no public record of pedophilia (a madrassah fantasy) or fabricating customized fatwas for killing minorities like Nobel Prize winner Dr Amir Liaquat Hussain or wailing religious verses for provoking hatred and violence (domestic/public/global), or mere lack of a beard, scarf or any other religious symbol on her part does not necessarily disqualify her from hosting a show. Also, the marxist basis can't be ignored: the tv producers are smart enough to work with her controversial image for filling their pockets. At least better than those hypocrite priests who authorize human rights violation and promote sectarianism, but, nevertheless maintain a 'pious' look on their faces as if they are the greatest well-wishers of humanity.
Hey call me an optimist but i think if she gains knowledge and learns ayaat by heart for the sake of her program we will have one more person who has gained knowledge about the religion ..... thats a good thing in my books.
Lets face it all the show will be about is callers abusing her and she defending herself ..... so i dont really think the religion is in danger. Maybe it can be an example of public humiliation that will put the fear of Allah in potential sinner's hearts ....
Veena’s Ramazan transmission is going to open some space, pushing boundaries far enough to take away religion from the hands of the selected few.“ So you want to take away religion from the hands of few selected ones and give in hands of those who even don’t know what the religion actually teaches. I don’t say veena doesn’t have a right to say Astagfar, but why on TV?? when in a holy month people want to learn something good from scholars and educated people on TV, It is “Astagfar” and Ramazan, not a Big Boss season in which people from showbiz come and start doing their drama on TV with make up and tears. Please at least let the religion remain simple and holy. She has the right to say Astagfar, But herself, not in front of people on TV like a drama.
Going by the writer's logic, I should be allowed to do a program on fluid mechanics as it is - and I quote - “going to open some space, pushing boundaries [of stupidity and absurdity] far enough to take away [fluid mechanics] from the hands of the selected few [physicists].“ sigh
I had no idea that Hero TV existed...................now I do. As for Veena Malik...................she's just gawjus.
Great advertisement plan for the channel and the one who is taking her side will never be found at any blog when she will perform in another item song after the ramadan.
Both parties are after Paisaaa...
Who knows if Allah forgives her and not us for so many sins we do no even consider as sins
Really Really not. Never and morally should not.
It is bad that for program for the holy month Ramdan is being hosted by Veena Malik. Who knows about his nototriey. Such a worst thing is going to do by hero tv and its all garbage will fell on media ultimately. A model, actress who done nothing but spreaded vulgarity only.
This is completely WRONG. This Hero channel (or what ever the name is) will fall down very soon as they are trying to portray the image of Islam through this pervert (Veena Malik) just to boost the ranking of their channel !!! We should condemn the show rather we should condemn the channel altogether. I don't mind even if the channel shows some adult programs to mushroom its ranking BUT PLAYING WITH RELIGION IS NOT AT ALL A GOOD IDEA. We all should record our protest if are alive.
hero tv hai he express network ka... no wonder the article is in favour of the show...
nobody knew hero tv before, they got wht the wanted. advertisement!!!!
the conditions of forgiveness is that one has to have the intention to not to repeat the sin! If after Ramadan she intends to do what she did before she seeks "forgiveness" then this is a mockery of the religion! ET will probably not post this message anyway!
@mr. righty rightist: Yes, that's coming in Ramadan on a tv channel in India! Haven't you seen the ads?
She should do it for past forgiveness and should pave the way what she intends doing until next Ramadan.
Hahahahaha.
Its good to have some fun during the holy month. Isn't it??
All for the money ... who cares anyway
Nice way of putting dust into eyes by Express Tribune. Isn't Hero TV a part of Express News network?
Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future!
Hafiz Saeed should do a program asking for forgiveness for his sins.
Oh.. Justifying Veena for a Ramzan Transmission? What next are you guys going to justify? Salman Rushdie for a Jumma Sermon?
HERO TV will have the highest rating in ramzan...Dekh lena
@Moiz: hahahaha well said Moiz
Next time, keep "Mathira" in the list as well. For God sake, it's Ramadan. Everyone is supposed to ask for his/her own forgiveness. Now after this show she will also be given a status of "Peerni".
This is SAD!
Express media is gone mad.they can do any thing to hurt people . Down fall of electronic media is just started. It show the media is going cheap at least leave the holy ramzan month for us.
@ET. It would have been better to give a disclaimer at the end of the article that Hero TV is a sister concern of Express TV and owned by Express Group.
Veena for Sehri and Iftar, yes, sure, one can imagine a contnuous year or two of Ramadan and just a mere 29 or 30 days.
It's like these people don't respect the religion any more. Instead of coming up with relevant and responsible programming for the holy month, they go for petty ratings. How bad would it be for all these channels if they telecast meaningful content? Seriously!
Biggest Drama queen is back for more!!!
Naturally the Tribune will support a channel from their own group - height of bigotry in Pakistan! Well done folks!
We are cursing, tweeting, commenting others but unfortunately we don't stop watching them. Why we are watching them in ramadan or in other months ???? because we are obssesed and we want to see gossips, we want to see comedians... We want to have controversy and our news channels are made for spreading it.
We are the one who promote them because jahil public wants to see them with out realizing that its all business....
May ALLAH bless us and give us a healthy mindset to refuse such personalities and dilema we are in.
Now ET is Cashing religion.
All i can say is 'Astaghfarrullah Astaghfarrullah.....'
Hero tv has definitely succeeded in raising eyeballs !!
Looking at the response .... I think its a master stroke by Hero TV as far as getting public interest is concerned. Its a business remember!!
Allah Almighty says in His the doubtless Holy Quran that O mankind if you have committed sins and you have confessed then come towards me and show true,sincere,practical and honest repentance (Tauba tun Nasooh) and never do that again and never disappoint from my blessings then I will forgive all your sins and will convert all your sins into good deeds. If Veena is sincere and honest in her repentance and if Allah Almighty accepts her prayers for forgiveness then who are we to remember her by her sins done in her bitter,harsh and painful past.Instead of remembering her painful and shameful past we all must have to pray for her to Allah Almighty that Allah Almighty may accept all her prayers,forgive her sins and give her courage and bravery to lead the sinless life in the future because Allah Almighty can forgive every sin except "Shirk"........
to all who are favoring veena malik here,come on give me a break.
its just great marketing of channel and nothing else . two days before nobody even knows the channel name . now everyone is talking about this channel only. media knows very well how to play with our minds. as far as concern the forgiveness for her sins. you all should know that its totally a matter of her & Allah. Again collecting fame from this , you all should know that she wants .
And this article was proudly sponsored by Hero Tv! to change perception
Look at your way of doing “Astaghfaar”. It has only led you to terrorism and destruction. Veena Malik will show you the proper way to do it so that you all can mint money like her.
Seriously ET?? This article does not make sense to me, where you have tried to justify her appearance in a religious show in really weird manner. What would you do next, ask Brittney Spears to recite Naa'ts?
I don't have any issue, what so ever, with her lewd photo shoots, those are her deeds and she is accountable for them. But here the limits have been exceeded and it is more like she is ridiculing the religion with glycerin in her eyes and asking for forgiveness.
Would she change her life style after this Ramdan show, and would spend her life in righteous manner? Cause last time I checked, this is what Astagfar means otherwise it is nothing more then hypocrisy.
ET, being liberal is something else, but stooping so low for ratings is just not ethical.
To be fair to Veena, I think she has more knowledge of Islam than many religious scholars. Months ago, I watched a TV debate on Islam where she dominated the debate and totally floored Jamat-e-Ilsami leader Farid Paracha. Veena quoted from authentic Koranic sources and Farid Paracha was forced to be apologetic repeatedly take back his words. This, in spite of the fact that the talk show anchor was openly siding with Mr. Paracha and tried his best to twist the debate to favor Mr. Paracha. Even the anchor had to be apologetic to Veena at the end of the talk show.
i suggest this... ban her Online Petition Against Veena Malik Hosting Show On Hero TV
http://www.awamiweb.com/online-petition-against-veena-malik-hosting-show-on-hero-tv-50060.html
Is VEENA apologizing for all sins with a handsome salary or not??? Also why can't she ask for forgiveness in closed doors like normal people.????
This is outrageous!!
DEFINITELY !!!
this is becoming terrible of ET which i think has only Veena Issues left to highlight for its publicity!
Because one mistake does not mean that we have to make another...
It will be a great test for all rozadaaas, to stay focused on the topic in veenas show and not stray to her nude FM shoots or any of the sick controversial work she has done
Hero could have avoided using cheapness for ratings.
@Khuram: excuse me whats your problem? if you dont like dont see. dont impose your will on others
I hope this show will be some time in between Iftar and Sehri otherwise express group will be responsible for so many people breaking their fasts due to one reason or the other ;)
@ Lord J
My man.... :)
GOD Bless Veena Malik.
Well at least Channels should respect month of Ramadan instead of playing conspiracy to earn and keep this creep away for television screen at least for the holy month
she does have a hallow around her head.
@Mazhar and Umer If that's true than it explains ET's obsession with Veena and their rampant attempts at promoting her beghairaty. I mean seriously she's a D class celeb, but while like the likes of Janice Dickson and Pamela Anderson arent taken seriously in US, Veena who is in the same range is a big deal for ET because why she posed nude? Seriously ET your doing a good job turning yourself into a Page 3 rag! Also lame is the excuse shes unapologetic and that makes her a role model. Yea I am going to kill some kittens and maybe the kid crying in the seat next to me and be unapologetic. Gimme a show!!!
When Veena wants to be left alone with everything she does, then she should leave the public out of this Astaghfar too! ... Double standards!
Oh! Now this non-holy and crappy Women is going to Host the Islamic show? can't they find better host then this? Awful man ..
Hypocrisy is already evident in the poster with the full make up.
no
The point is - why the hypocrisy ! You want to repent for your sins - go do it. but IN YOUR OWN HOME. But please - not to promote ratings of a channel dammit. Please STOP thinking that we're dumb and don't know what Hero TV is trying to play it, to grab attention.
Veena fully covered....difficult to like her that way. But have to bear her for the month
@Ali Mughal: You should know that the owner of this channel is the brother of one of a well known religious partly. I believe it is not about money, it is about the fact that we are tired of Mullah preaching us, and we all know the outcome of there teachings, as how well we are flourishing. Now it is a time we need a change, Please welcome her.
I'm sorry Express, I'm not falling for your justification. Religion is not a joke that you should start cheap publicity stunts using its name. Your comparison of Veena to Amir Liaqat is simply ludicrous, even if you bring that leaked video scandal into attention, that has nothing to do with posing nude for a magazine in a foreign country with complete disregard for being your' country's ambassador.
Express can go ahead and promote this channel and stupid show, I ain't watching it and dirtying my holy month with this cheap crap.
The Channel just want to earn $$, which is the true religion of channel owners.
For God sake don't make fun of the most sacred and holy by indulging in vulgarities and obsecinity. If she realy wants to repent, ask Allah for fogiveness in dark of the night and then change your behaviour for good.
disgusting liberals..now they ar e even defending her this cheap move to gain publicity...
these r our social volues ,these r our nourmes. those ppl gonaa teach us moral values whoes do not even knw about them .
Not too shocking is it though? She's banking in on a society where materialism and shallowness is king, Ramadan is just another month to make money-a-plenty. She's screwing everyone over the best way she knows how. If people are willing to help her on her way, who is she to say no? She's a business woman. Anything less would not be expected. Both her middle fingers are well up in the air....and she couldn't care less what everyone else thinks!
My taste is not that bad :p
Well as some one said above, if Zardari can be president and Bhuttoz can alive even after they are dead for so many years, veena can become a religious cleric! That shouldn't shock anyone!!
The only way to show disgust for such stupidity is not to watch Hero TV. It certainly seems a successful but disgusting marketing stunt.
NO!
@Khuram: Do not watch it man, why are you registering protest. I want to do Astaghfar with Veena, after opening my Roza, no body should have problem with this.
what next ? kim kardashian or paris hilton
See the design of the Poster ...Its Pathetic ... This is how you will present Veena in Ramadan Special ....
I am still surprised that how this writer defend Veena and persist that she should host the show I have no Issue with Veena Malik However, stuck my mind on it that the channel couldn't find any scholar for this program. The only purpose behind this to get noticed among people and they got success in it Congraaaaaaaaaaatss HERO CHANNEL...
Anyway I am just writing here ...I don't care any more either this program will be aired or not on HERO Channel .... Because the rating from me for this channel is zero .... At least I come to know that what type of senseless people are running this channel ...
Best of Luck for your pathetic programs ....
Veena ranted how whatever she did and is apologetic for is between herself and her God and the public should not interfere. WHY is here Astagfar in the public eye now?
If I am not wrong, Hero TV is sub-channel of Express News. I mean owners of Express and Hero TV are same people.
Hero TV is owned by the same group that owns and operates Express News and Express Tribune. Therefore no surprises at this intellectually bankrupt defence! This is in a nutshell everything that is wrong with Pakistani media. What depths will the media plunge to next in the ratings game? Is there any hope for an informed, progressive and responsible media? From the looks of it, sadly not,
I am registering my protest against the Ramadan Special Program hosting by Veena Malik ; stop this program ... This is not more than just boosting the ratings, fooling the masses in the process and turning the blessed month of Ramadan into one big circus....
If she feels regret on all this and wants to do tauba so its good ..but do it by her own ... This is about Veena Malik ...This is about the sacred program HERO Channel going to launch ....
I am again saying that I have no issue with Veena ...Whatever she did ....But she is not right person for this program ...And if she is sinner then stay at home and do Tauba ...ALLAH will forgive him... This is not the way to do tauba in front of Camera by reading script ....
Ridiculous .... Kam se Kam Ramadan ke muqaddas mahinay aur deen ka mazaq to na banaao Tum Channel Walo ....
BIG NOOOOOOOO to Ramadan Special Program and Veena Malik
All the problems in Pakistan are solved
No load shedding No gas shortage No hunger Adlia is free Media is free All the leaders are pure and perfact Last problem left to be solved is Veena on T V After this we will be on top of the worldSo here express comes to deffent Venna ... Every one supporting this idea should watch Vena Malik... Meray ghar to waisay bhe hero tv nahe ata :P
As far as islam is concerned you can pray for astaghfar any time you want so why on tv her house would be a better option instead of coming infront of tv ...
I used to respect veena before she did astaghfaar. I dont want to see her astaghfaar. Glad to see everyone here have a mature debate instead of senseless trolling
Religions is not an individual's property. Why only "Good Muslims" should be able to talk about Islam? They dont own it right? Just because Amir Liaqat has a beard doesnt mean he should be allowed to talk about religion. I might not agree to what veena have to say but i think she has every right to do it.
@Ash: You could not distance yourself from reading and commenting on this article, my dear good Muslim brother, but I guess it is always a good idea to tell people what not to do and do. I cannot agree with you any more, believe me in the same pattern the whole nation is following you.
@ET What lame reasons are you providing. "Veena’s Ramazan transmission is going to open some space, pushing boundaries far enough to take away religion from the hands of the selected few."
So you want to take away religion from the hands of few selected ones and give in hands of those who even don't know what the religion actually teaches. I don't say veena doesn't have a right to say Astagfar, but why on TV?? when in a holy month people want to learn something good from scholars and educated people on TV, It is "Astagfar" and Ramazan, not a Big Boss season in which people from showbiz come and start doing their drama on TV with make up and tears.
Please at least let the religion remain simple and holy. She has the right to say Astagfar, But herself, not in front of people on TV like a drama.
Now i have seen everything !!!!
Correction: She coud have done anything on TV even gone nude and i wouldn't give a damn its alright but Ramadan?*
Ofcourse I will. It will be better than Amir Liaquat and other bull crap political talk shows.
This is just another publicity stunt by Veena and in no way I accept that she really wants forgiveness for herself. If she is so desperate for "astagfar" then she can do that in her home...there is no need for a TV show. I will not watch this third class cheap publicity stunt which will malign the holy month and I urge all readers to distance themselves from this pathetic channel and teach them a lesson.
God is there to punish and forgive, so let us mind to our jobs only. If in this country Mr Zardari cab be President, Raja R can be PM, what so wrong Veena has done to us. Are you still in a believe that is a Islamic Republic, then please come out of your illusion.
I am totally clueless on how can anyone defend Veena Malik at all on this issue. She coud have done anything on TV even gone nude I'm sure some channel would have played even that after a bit blurring it but Ramadan show? I mean seriously what are your grounds people? My only bet is that its the confused psychology of some of the enlightened Muslims, who have taken up the Antagonist role and advocate everything that challenges Islam and provokes emotions of masses, without even thinking that where does the matter stand on rationality index. And by masses I mean everyone, not just Madrassa going bearded men. The freedom of expression and to judge someone become subjective if they they are targeting a larger part of society. and about the Maghfirat part on TV with tears rolling down your face in a Promo? AYFKM?? a cheap shot, to remain in the news around controversies and hitting deliberately on cultural and religious values is what it is for her. for HeroTV its negative publicity to draw attention that they exist.
Great marketing. First make a mockery of religion by exploiting controversy queen on ur c grade channel than discuss it on ur english site. Every body win$. Than say its awam ki demand
The guy who came up with this idea is a genius. Two days ago, no one knew what is HERO TV, now every one does. Every one will watch the Veena program at least once. The ratings will sky rocket so will the HERO tv revenue. An absolutely brilliant idea.
Why is ET so obsessed with Veena? It seems more obsessed than even Indian or other Pakistani news channels.
I think atonement and redemption are an individual's personal business that stay between the individual and Allah and forgiveness has been promised to anyone who repents with an honest heart. Therefore we should not try to judge her intentions as it's between her and Allah. However, it seems ironical for her to host this show because for the show to be appealing its host's nature/qualifications/characteristics need to be in harmony with the theme of the show. Most people might have a problem with this since they would naturally think that she does not qualify to talk about or be a role model of Islamic ethics where her actions are not in-line with the subject matter she's handling. Nevertheless, I hope she and all of us are blessed with Allah's mercy and blessings (Aameen).
Truth is that Veena has more morals than Amir Liaquat and other people like him. She has also done Pakistan proud by projecting a soft image of the state when all we hear are target killings, drones, bomb blasts etc.
Never...
Disgusting!!!!!!!