Veena first revealed her religious side to the world through her television show Astaghfaar last year. PHOTO: FILE
At the shrine, Veena was seen offering her prayers and breaking her fast along with administrative members of the shrine. She looked graceful in a black anarkali with gold trimmings, and had the right amount of make-up on, as compared to other public appearances where she is seen with an overdose of foundation.
“It feels very much like Ramazan (in India),” Veena told The Express Tribune via telephone. “There is a big Indian Muslim population. I usually have iftar with my colleagues.”
After being received by the shrine’s manager Afsar Ali Nizami, Veena walked barefoot into the mosque and made herself comfortable on the floor where an iftari spread was laid out. Later, with flowers in her hand and a dupatta on her head, Veena offered prayers at the shrine. “I am a very religious person and it is a pleasure for me to break my roza at Hazrat Nizamuddin’s dargah in the holy month of Ramazan,” she said.
As the crowds swelled with her arrival, administrative officials moved Veena to the office inside the shrine. Talking about her experience, Veena said, “I earned solace and peace. I have a spiritual and religious side to me. In Pakistan, I used to go to Data Darbar, Bibi Pak Daman and Kolhra Shareef — it’s where I find complete solace.”
She also talked about her Ramazan experience in India. “In Pakistan, you feel it in the air… nobody eats on the street. In India, you experience it otherwise, but there is respect for other religions.”
On the occasion, the starlet also shared that she had prayed for her family. “I have a strong bond with my family, close friends and career,” she said, adding that she had prayed for the health and happiness of her father Malik Muhammad Ali Aslam, mother, sisters and her friend Sheikh Umar Farooq.
Last week, Veena had posted on Twitter, “I will go to Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia (R.A) sahib tomorrow...InshaAllah will pray for all my followers and fans....May God bless us all!!!”
After offering prayers at the Dargah, she posted images on Twitter and wrote: “Blessedness...supreme happiness!!! Thank you God for blessing me with everything I have desired in life....I am blessed!!”
https://twitter.com/iVeenaMalik/status/360367655468806145
Veena is currently awaiting the release of her film Silk, and is also simultaneously promoting her upcoming film Supermodel which has been shot in the Fiji islands. Veena plays a poor girl who shoots to stardom in the movie.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (28)
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@Zalim singh: Zalim that was hilarious! LOL
Now we know how Islam is in India...!!
@MJ:
"I am so happy to live in a country where: Islam is being discussed by Amir Liaqat Honesty by Meher Buhkari Simplicity by Nawaz Sharif Astaghfar by Veena Malik Cricket by Salman Butt Security by Chaudhry Nisar ….."
That was the best comment of the day. but let me also add a few more.
Conspiracy theories are being debunked by Zaid Hamid. Not being judgmental is being taught by the Taliban (in their letter to Malala)
@qzj00: Thanks for agreeing to the rest of part. But I still hold the view Shirk's definition varies from place to place and culture to culture. Take for example your own comment- you have stated that there is a clear definition but abstained from presenting the definition itself. Now, my claim is that as soon as you'll place the all encompassing definition of Shirk and try to apply it to the real world practices, it will do nothing except wake up the sleeping 'fitnah' within Muslims with one group accusing another of being Non-Muslim.
@Seadiver: "Without Punctuation the sense of sentence can never be conveyed. Similarly, never appreciate those practices which have no standing in religion. Rather the best thing is to seek the correct course of knowledge and implementation. Be a Good Judge if you cannot be seek the write knowledge."
Indeed, Do judge oneself and seek correct knowledge & implementation in one's own life. But the moment one tries to impose it on unwilling 'others', bloodbath will ensue. This is as true for a Gali Mohalla as much as it is for a nation.
I'm sorry but such stunts are disgusting to say the least.
An honest person shows that he is honest, he doesn't claim to be honest.
A smart person shows that he is honest, he doesn't claim to be smart.
A diligent person works hard, he doesn't claim to be diligent.
A talented person shows his honest, he doesn't claim to be talented.
A pious person prays, he doesn't claim to be pious.
A religious person practices his religion in all earnest, he doesn't claim to be religious.
actually when it comes to speaking in english especially interviews , we see a lot of tongue slips, i think she doesnt actually mean shes religious, haya is an integral part of islam,...if u accept it or not,,,and someone without haya......needs to check where does one stand.
What relevancy does the amount of foundation or make-up she wore have to her visit? Pakistani "writers/journalists" need to work on their writing skills & learn to filter out erroneous information.
She has learnt little bit of acting ..good going...
Is it a joke? Next day Sunny leone will go and pray for her followers too..
@Naveen:
Without Punctuation the sense of sentence can never be conveyed. Similarly, never appreciate those practices which have no standing in religion. Rather the best thing is to seek the correct course of knowledge and implementation. Be a Good Judge if you cannot be seek the write knowledge.
Good luck.
Pray for us sinners, Veena. I am sure your prayers will be answered. Its good to know that you are out there looking after us.
@Naveen:
>> Both Vulgarity and Shirk are subjective & culture specific terms.
Not quite. Vulgarity is subjective and culture-specific but Shirk is NOT. There is a very clear definition of Shirk. (This correction, however, is purely academic and is NOT meant to imply that Veena was or was not doing shirk).
I do; however, agree a hundred percent with the rest of your post.
@Babloo: There is religious freedom in india but muslim celebrities like Salman khan and shabana azmi can not own house in Bombay. I am sure she would soon be repatriatrd to Pakistan on charges of buying a house without Govt's permission.
@aamir: I think she is way too better than some "pious" Muslims who are shooting kids and blowing people.
I am so happy to live in a country where: Islam is being discussed by Amir Liaqat Honesty by Meher Buhkari Simplicity by Nawaz Sharif Astaghfar by Veena Malik Cricket by Salman Butt Security by Chaudhry Nisar .....
"actions speak louder than the words"......please give us a break !!!!!
At least she is no hypocrite................something one can not say for most Pakistanis ( yes I am a Pakistani )
@I am a Khan: Both Vulgarity and Shirk are subjective & culture specific terms. World would be a lot better place if everybody minded their own business, instead of passing judgements on others.
She is a disgrace to every Muslim and Pakistan
so apart from being vulgar, she also commits Shirk :(
IS she still in India?
A person's religion is between them and Allah and no one should question it, but I think "very religious" is being exaggerated here keeping her latest moves in mind. Either way, the dargah should help people think about the good deeds these saints did and try to replicate those but people these days have made them places of worship and business. Even our PMs and Presidents prefer to go their for dua'a instead of getting dua'as from public for doing some good to them, Veena to kisi khaatay mein hi nahi aati.
Amen!!! :p
good
As the crowds swelled with her arrival
did the writer mean: As the crowd's swelled with her arrival?
InshaAllah will pray for all my followers and fans
Yay, Veena is praying for me. I will get a New Job...
Coverage of these kind of events should at least convey to an average Pakistan the absolute freedom of religion, in every flavor of that term, enjoyed by all in India. So if you emulate , you too may have peace.