Spotted at fashion week: Dr Fauzia Siddiqui of the Aafia Movement!
Rather than enjoy the show, the two looked awkward, uncomfortable and preferred to concentrate on their smartphones.
When asked about her favourite collection of the evening, Dr Fauzia could not even recall the names of the designers.
KARACHI:
Guess who we spotted sitting silently in the front row on Day 2 at FPW? Dr Fauzia Siddiqui and Pasban President Altaf Shakoor! But rather than enjoy the show, the two looked awkward and uncomfortable and preferred to concentrate on their smartphones.
“We were invited by designer Hasina Khanani and her husband,” Shakoor told The Express Tribune. “Her collection was scheduled to be showcased last or second last at the event,” he said, adding that they “were stuck in a very awkward situation”. He explained that Khanani’s husband Fahad Topra is an ardent supporter of Dr Fauzia Siddiqui. “They [Hasina and Fahad] insisted that we attend and invited us with such love and earnestness that we could not refuse.”
He quickly added, “I did not even turn my head up to look at the ramp — I had not gone there for this [to watch the fashion show] purpose to begin with,” he said. “We were there merely to support Hasina and Fahad. I continued to send emails and SMS from my phone because I was not concerned about what was happening there. It was the first time that I had attended such an event. It was very odd.”
He described his friends as “true believers, true Muslims on the inside”. “In a way, we were there to become closer to them emotionally and then, maybe someday, correct them,” he said at the end.
Dr Fauzia Siddiqui, sister of Dr Aafia Siddiqui who is imprisoned in the United States for attempted murder and assault, quoted the same reason for her attendance. “Hasina is a very good friend of mine,” said Dr Siddiqi. “She’s always been there to support my sister.” She added that she left as soon as her friend’s show was over.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 13th, 2013.
Guess who we spotted sitting silently in the front row on Day 2 at FPW? Dr Fauzia Siddiqui and Pasban President Altaf Shakoor! But rather than enjoy the show, the two looked awkward and uncomfortable and preferred to concentrate on their smartphones.
“We were invited by designer Hasina Khanani and her husband,” Shakoor told The Express Tribune. “Her collection was scheduled to be showcased last or second last at the event,” he said, adding that they “were stuck in a very awkward situation”. He explained that Khanani’s husband Fahad Topra is an ardent supporter of Dr Fauzia Siddiqui. “They [Hasina and Fahad] insisted that we attend and invited us with such love and earnestness that we could not refuse.”
He quickly added, “I did not even turn my head up to look at the ramp — I had not gone there for this [to watch the fashion show] purpose to begin with,” he said. “We were there merely to support Hasina and Fahad. I continued to send emails and SMS from my phone because I was not concerned about what was happening there. It was the first time that I had attended such an event. It was very odd.”
He described his friends as “true believers, true Muslims on the inside”. “In a way, we were there to become closer to them emotionally and then, maybe someday, correct them,” he said at the end.
Dr Fauzia Siddiqui, sister of Dr Aafia Siddiqui who is imprisoned in the United States for attempted murder and assault, quoted the same reason for her attendance. “Hasina is a very good friend of mine,” said Dr Siddiqi. “She’s always been there to support my sister.” She added that she left as soon as her friend’s show was over.
When asked about her favourite collection of the evening, Dr Fauzia could not even recall the names of the designers. “I think Hasina’s turn came one designer after the Gul Ahmed show. Honestly, I was not paying much attention at the show; I kept myself busy on the phone.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 13th, 2013.