Pakistan crackdown on fashion shows

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Pakistan crackdown on fashion shows

Four-star hotels in Pakistan regularly stage fashion shows

Pakistani Prime Minister Zafar Allah Jamali has ordered authorities to crack down on fashion shows because they are un-Islamic and give Pakistan a bad image.

An interior ministry order dated 25 October was carried by Wednesday’s The News daily, directing hotels and officials to put an end to the gala parades that are a regular event at city hotels.

“It has been observed that different functions are organised under the garb of fashion shows at leading hotels of the provinces and federal capital, which militate against our national culture and Islamic values,” the order said, according to the newspaper.

"Such activities are not reflective either of our culture or heritage and subsequently paint the government in a bad light,” the order said.

Serious view

“The prime minister has taken serious notice of such undesirable activities and has directed that the administration and hotel managements be issued strict instructions to avoid recurrence of such programs, which are not in consonance with Islamic values and norms of decency.”

The directive does not specifically state why it objects to such shows, but anything that involves the flaunting of women is usually frowned upon in Islamic Pakistan.
"Such activities are not reflective either of our culture or heritage”

Four-star hotels in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and even the Islamist-ruled northwest city of Peshawar regularly stage fashion shows featuring models wearing the creations of local designers.

A show at an Islamabad hotel in October attracted wide media attention because it coincided with the Muslim holy night of Shab-e-Barat and national cricket players and officials attended.

The team lost a one-day match to South Africa the next day, triggering further criticism of the cricketers’ attendance.

Islamists gained a huge swing of support at national elections last year. They now rule the two western provincial parliaments and dominate the federal opposition.

Premier Jamali heads a coalition of secular, military-backed parties which rules with only a slim majority and has been courting the support of Islamists for the past year.

Comment:

Is this another ploy by the government to appease the muslims of Pakistan? Why just stop at banning fashion shows why not abandon the ruling by non-islam and implement the Islamic laws in their entirety?

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If they crack down on such things, you guys think its appeasing, if they dont, you think its unislamic? What exactly do you want?

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Re: Pakistan crackdown on fashion shows

[QUOTE]
Originally posted by showkot: *
**Islamists* gained a huge swing of support at national elections last year.
[/QUOTE]
What the heck is an "Islamist"? Those who follow Islam are called Muslims.

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A measure long awaited. Better late than never! More needs to be done to nip the evil in the bud. Fashions shows are nothing but a sick idea of disgracing women!

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Islamabad: *
A measure long awaited. Better late than never! More needs to be done to nip the evil in the bud. Fashions shows are nothing but a sick idea of disgracing women!
[/QUOTE]
So what are honour killings, domestic vilence, false audltry charges on raped women? Those should be priority.

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Did it appear in any reliable local newspapers? Didn't catch it in today's Dawn, not sure about the News.

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Re: Pakistan crackdown on fashion shows

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by showkot: *

Is this another ploy by the government to appease the muslims of Pakistan? Why just stop at banning fashion shows why not abandon the ruling by non-islam and implement the Islamic laws in their entirety?
[/QUOTE]

Because it's unrealistic? Think about it - if it was as easy as handing out leaflets, or mouthing off on message boards, wouldn't it have happened already in the middle east?

If Jamali's so concerned about moral values I suggest he starts with a crackdown on Lollywood film productions first. If he's got nothing better to do he could at least eliminate a major source of embarassment.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Islamabad: *
A measure long awaited. Better late than never! More needs to be done to nip the evil in the bud. Fashions shows are nothing but a sick idea of disgracing women!
[/QUOTE]

Definetly agree with that.

How is this western concept of fashion show and miss world and all these other nonsense events promoting women.

they just show women as something low like a cheap commodity which you can stare and ogle at!

Women have brains and are strong there are many avenues such as science, business, eductaion, the family, the home which are more rewarding in islam they do not need to disgrace themselves by showing there bodies off to these peverted men in these shows.

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we’re a nation of misplaced priorities or maybe Jamali’s sphere of influence only encompasses such trivial issues… I don’t see him cracking down on wadera-shahi, their private prisons or the way they treat their women.. they are only worried about women who are at least allowed to make their own choices.. oh that can’t be allowed to happen :rolleyes:

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No one is worried about woman making there choice, they have many choices. As muslims we can and cannot do certain things and parading semi naked is not one of the things we can do in public that goes for man and women by the way!

As for not clamping down on other issues, fine clamp down and deal with them too. But this post is specifically about crackdown on fashion shows and that is a good thing.

By the way i agree they are just nitpicking on this one issue and ignoring the bigger picture, they are trying to please the demands of muslims who want wholesale changes including more shariah and less kufr.

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It would be better if he had ordered the authorities to curb poverty, illiteracy and crimes.

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Re: Pakistan crackdown on fashion shows

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by showkot: *
Is this another ploy by the government to appease the muslims of Pakistan? Why just stop at banning fashion shows why not abandon the ruling by non-islam and implement the Islamic laws in their entirety?
[/QUOTE]

Think twice before wishing the implementation of the Shariah...

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Imdad Ali: *
So what are honour killings, domestic vilence, false audltry charges on raped women? Those should be priority.
[/QUOTE]

they should be but they dont get wah wahs from the mullah parade do they? do something that is easy to do and gets a lot of coverage ..heck jamali should have been in advertising.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ak47: *
No one is worried about woman making there choice, they have many choices. As muslims we can and cannot do certain things and parading semi naked is not one of the things we can do in public that goes for man and women by the way!
[/QUOTE]

but why end it, even looking at it from a very strict religious point of view, you can do them but just not have them mixed..right? then as long as its not nudity thats okay...girls showing the new designs toother girls..whats the issue. but the fact that they are going aftewr the fashion shows wholesale means its for political number scoriung prolly with the MMA and especially doing it during ramadan.

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To the mollahs, this is bigger news than eradicating the tonnes of other much serious problems, which includes poverty, death etc...

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Referring to the news item “Fashion shows get PMs’ wrath” published in The News on November 12, 2003, I would certainly agree that to keep the sanctity of religious months and days in our Islamic calendar such activities shall not be allowed , but to completely ban this would not serve any purpose. There are 12 months in a year and all days and months are not considered religious, and fashion and fashion presentations are just a form of art. In any progressive and developing nation in this modern day and age, fashion has become an industry and people are getting more and more involved in it!
In Pakistan too, over the years we have seen a mushroom growth of fashion institutions and schools, which produce more people involved in the industry. Young and enterprising people are coming up with fresh ideas and innovative fashion designs; we can’t let so many young people suffer just because of ‘a bad timing of one show’!
I would request the competent authority to kindly think what would happen to all the designers, choreographers, sound and light teams, stage setups and so many people involved in holding such events. Are Turkey, Egypt, Malaysia or Morocco not Islamic countries? Referring to Mr Ansar Abbassi’s Comment in The News on November 13 2003 I would suggest its good to do ones’ home work before one sits down with pen and paper and put one’s wrath of anger with a stroke of the pen! You have mentioned in your comment about the vulgar shows, the so called westernised ‘liberals’ and models as ‘sex objects’ and that people in towns and villages don’t wear these ensembles.! I would request you to kindly do a bit more survey on issues before you them.
Firstly, all the shows that I have attended in the cities of either Karachi , Lahore or Islamabad, I never saw any vulgarity in any sense of the word; there were just ordinary pieces of specially designed ensembles known as ‘haute couture’ made by trained designers and no where one could sense nudity or vulgarity in them! And as far as villages and towns are concerned, even in modern countries like USA, a Texas village girl will not wear what a Wall street executive will choose for her closet. As far as models are concerned, they all belong to nice families and are lovely sweet girls and mostly happily married with kids too. It is highly unfair that one puts them in the category of ‘sex objects’; and as far as audience is concerned, fashion shows are mostly attended by couples and people from very highly regarded families who go home full of praises for the events and clothes not to be mentioned. And most of the clothes presented at shows are sold out next day at exhibitions in hotels or at their stores. The question of families not allowing their children to wear those clothes does not arise. The designers are heavily booked during the wedding season by the entire Pakistani circuit for some kind of an ensemble delivery; Why? Because everyone wants to be seen in a new stylish hip outfit, that’s called exposure and being up to date with latest trends and styles that it. Yes on the contrary if you want to call it a day and totally ban and restrict the shows, you are just putting so much effort of team work in fashion industry on back burner.
We totally agree that the sanctity of religion and religious dates shall be kept in mind before holding shows are concerned but to defame and disgrace the fashion world will be extremely unfair Mr Abbassi. Don’t present Pakistan the way the enemies want us to be presented in the world. We are a progressive, developing nation and we don’t need this kind of attitude from educated people like you. We don’t want to be under any Taliban kind restrictions, because trust me this would be a major step in making Pakistan a Taliban type governance. Why is it that we have to follow some kind of Talibanisation to prove we are Muslims!
It is not right to purely restrict healthy fashion activity like in so many other developing progressive Muslim countries keeping in mind the sanctity of timing according to the Islamic calendar.Why cant we tell the world that Pakistan can also produce Coco Chanel and Versace!

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Another dumb idea, Pakistan allready has large unemployment. The fashion industry has expanded quiet a bit, certainly it shouldn't be discouraged as many poor people are employed in this sector. I think rather then following the maulana diesel type policies we should follow the quaids policy or a modern progressive liberal nation.

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I don't think its government's job to decide who should wear what and who should walk with whom...on the other hand, the government is indulging in trivial things which leads to off-track from real issues...

Let the society itself form a panel of 12 persons (men and women) from all walks of life...at random...rotatry panel after for every event...for a ban or for a go...

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of course no one has a problem with those fitted burqaas :) anyone seen those, the curve hugging ones that have been around for ages. and theya re not designed or worn by what some may sneer at as the typical westenised burger crowd.. but the hijabi niqabi contingent.

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Salaams to the muslims and hi to the non-muslims

Spock

As i mentioned we muslims including you want the complete implementation of Islam and not a few laws only.

Islamabad

This is just one evil, many more evils exist in pakistan e.g prostitution, alcohol and ruling by non-Islam to name a few.

Mr Xtreme

Allah swt revealed laws which are applicable in any time and place and therefore very realistic.

shawaiz

Think twice before wishing implementation of non-islam because Allah will question you on day of judgement, why did you not wish for implementation of Islam.

Mr fraudia

i agree its just to win favour with some people and win votes.

ZulfiOKC

Muslims have a duty to live their lives according to islam and to reject non-Islamic ideas which come from the west.

Bhadsha

Pakistan was established in the name of Islam and the people are muslim and therefore Islam should be implemented. The cause of unemployment and poverty is not Islam but the western systems which are implemented.

Zabardast

Whats needed is Sharia not more people making up laws from their mind.