**By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS**
**Published: January 22, 2011**
ISLAMABAD (AP) — A Pakistani actress castigated for appearing to cuddle with an Indian actor on a reality show lashed out at a Muslim cleric who had criticized her during a widely watched television exchange this week.
The unusual outburst, punctuated by tears, came at a sensitive time in a country where Islamic fundamentalism is spreading and liberals are increasingly afraid to express their views.
“What is your problem with me? You tell me your problem!” an angry Veena Malik asked the Muslim scholar, who accused her of insulting Islam.
Earlier this month, a liberal Pakistani governor was shot dead for opposing the country’s harsh laws against blasphemy. In the aftermath, his killer was cheered as a hero among many in the public, shocking the country’s small liberal establishment.
Malik, 26, participated recently on Bigg Boss, an Indian version of “Big Brother.” Clips of the show on the Internet include ones in which she appears cozy with Indian actor Ashmit Patel. Those scenes, and her involvement with a show in Pakistan’s archrival India, prompted criticism online and on the air.
“You have insulted Pakistan and Islam,” Mufti Abdul Qawi accused her on the Express TV channel talk show via a television link. The exchange first aired Friday and then again Saturday.
A furious Malik shot back, saying Qawi targeted her because she is a woman, reminding him that the Quran admonishes men not to stare at a woman’s beauty beyond a first glance, and telling him there were bigger problems in Pakistan, including the alleged rape of children at mosques.
During the exchange, Qawi admitted he had not seen the clips of the show but had heard about it from others.
“What does your Islam say, mufti sir?” the actress asked. “You issue edicts on the basis of hearsay.”
Malik said she had read the Quran and she knew what lines not to cross as a Muslim as well as an entertainer in South Asia. She pointed out that she never kissed Patel, for instance.
“I am a Muslim woman, and I know my limits,” she said. The cleric seemed unable to respond to her flood of words.
Malik’s fierce outburst sparked a barrage of comments on Twitter. While some writers said they didn’t agree with her and one called her a “porn star,” others said she was brave for standing up to the Pakistani clerical establishment, especially when such an act can mean personal danger.
Wrote one supporter: “The only way to talk to these bloody clerics is to talk down to them. Veena Malik did just that, and how. Good for her!”
She is a b***H, the way she projected herself in India people will object to that...if she acts in an objectionable way, she should be prepared to hear dissenting voices...she should ignore those voices and concentrate more on earning money ( because she can do anything for money)...
well other problems and issues in Pakistan are not an excuse for her to behave in such a way.
she does not have self respect and dignity and thinks that Pakistani people dont have it too as Pakistani society have certain issues.
Ali and Roshni, you both are very correct but really they should not make it an issue. She is a 3rd class person and loads of ppl already knew it before she went to this reality show. What did anyone expect from her, something better?
They should drop this topic. We are only making fun of our own selves.
You invite a mullah, ask him about his views on what she has been up to, what do you expect?
It is not like he volunteered his views. He was asked about her actions and he gave his opinion. It is none of his business as long as he is not persuaded to give an opinion on the matter.
I guess the sensible scholars would have refused to appear on TV regarding this and hence they got this one.
She's not done anything worse than a lot of male Pak celebs have done abroad so I can't see why she should get a harder time.. Calling her a 'porn star' is a bit much.. Can't remember who it was but some other celeb got a really hard time over just wearing a swimsuit in Thailand once (don't think it was even two-piece and they were private family photos that were leaked) and was called all sorts of names whilst the men can go abroad, sleep around or have gfs and ppl won't bat an eyelid..
No surprise this topic has gotten this much needless attention and has sparked a national debate in Pakistan. She is a D list actress, who cares what she did with who. What does society really expect from a paid entertainer? Walk around on TV in a Burqa? Pakistan has far much worst issues to deal with like: poverty, education, etc. It really annoys me when these so called " journalists" give importance to such nonsense. And did the host of the show really say "Aap humsay mashwara karti, to hum ko kehtay aapko India jaana hi nai chaiye" Really?
The worst thing in this video is the host who seemed to be biased against women. Unless those scenes are watched nothing to be commented upon except I am surprised the way this lady defended with full force. I think mullah type people should give her a break.
i think its the other way around...haraam kaarii, be-imani, rishwat baazi, be_hayaayii, sharaab noshii, juye baazii, aiyashii...bhii apne UROOJ par hai...in sab kaa naam LIBERALISM rakkha gayaa hai aur isko raushan Khayaali bhi kahte haiN...damn with raushan Khayaali and liberalism.
For whatever her faults may be, Veena Malik hasn't done anything that Millions of other Pakistanis dont do themselves, at least in secret. Give her credit, at least she isnt a hypocrit.
Infact, there are Pakistanis who have done far worse, and yet live perfectly respectable lives without ever having the ignominious fate of being derided by their fellow country men in their face or behind their backs.
I suspect that if everyone's dirty laundry were ever exposed for everyone else to see, no one on this forum would be innocent.
i think its the other way around...haraam kaarii, be-imani, rishwat baazi, be_hayaayii, sharaab noshii, juye baazii, aiyashii...bhii apne UROOJ par hai...in sab kaa naam LIBERALISM rakkha gayaa hai aur isko raushan Khayaali bhi kahte haiN...damn with raushan Khayaali and liberalism.
Bull Sh1t. Many of the worst crimes in the country are being commited by the scoundrels who claim to be conservative.
Sexual abuse of minors as Veena pointed out I believe, is often committed by those who consider themselves to be religious.
This among many other sins. But the problem is that the champions of Islam, choose to selectively admonish particular people for particular "sins," while ignoring cmpletely the multitude of other sins, which infact are far more objectionable.
ugh this bimbo is going to become the face of "liberal" Pakistan all thanks to you self-righteous, bollywood-loving, pious Muslims. Her antics on big boss were greatly exaggerated by Pakistanis. really sad to see her getting international attention over this.
ugh this bimbo is going to become the face of "liberal" Pakistan all thanks to you self-righteous, bollywood-loving, pious Muslims. Her antics on big boss were greatly exaggerated by Pakistanis. really sad to see her getting international attention over this.
