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Atif Aslam faces backlash for supporting Palestinians
The singer faced criticism for his backing of the Palestinians, with some accusing him of being two-faced.
Karachi: Atif Aslam, the acclaimed singer known for captivating audiences in both Pakistan and India, finds himself embroiled in controversy after expressing support for the Palestinian cause amidst the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.
His decision to stand with the oppressed Palestinians has sparked a storm of criticism from Indian social media users.
The controversy began when Atif Aslam shared a post on his Instagram account, featuring the Palestinian flag, as a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people who have endured suffering at the hands of the Israeli army.
In his caption, the singer lamented the loss of thousands of innocent Palestinian lives and invoked God's mercy.
However, the show of support did not sit well with some Indian netizens, who took issue with the singer's stance.
One user went as far as declaring it was time to unfollow Atif Aslam, while another accused him of double-facedness, urging him to also acknowledge the innocent lives lost due to Hamas' actions.
Another individual openly supported Israel, questioning whether Atif had anything to say about the innocent victims in Israel merely because they were Jewish.
One netizen even mocked Pakistan's cricket loss to India and diverted the conversation, stating that Atif should focus on praying for Rohit Sharma and the Indian cricket team who defeated Pakistan.
A particularly disheartened Indian user stated that Atif Aslam, once a favorite singer, was no longer viewed favorably, labeling him as a common Muslim who only spoke out when certain issues arose.
Following Atif Aslam's post in support of Palestine, many Indian fans reportedly unfollowed the singer on Instagram, illustrating the polarizing nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the deep emotions it evokes.
The ongoing Israeli military operation in Gaza is in response to attacks by the Palestinian liberation organization Hamas, resulting in a rapidly increasing death toll.
The indiscriminate targeting of homes, women, and children has led to a staggering toll, with 2,329 Palestinians killed, 9,700 injured, and 300,000 displaced as a consequence of the Israeli bombardment in Gaza.