Kerala expatriates in Dubai confront hostility after inviting Shahid Afridi at gathering
Controversy Surrounds Kerala Community in Dubai Over Warm Welcome to Shahid Afridi
In the aftermath of Shahid Afridi's contentious remarks following the Pahalgam terror attack, a Kerala-based community group in Dubai has found themselves under fire on social media. The backlash stemmed from the group's warm welcome to the former Pakistani cricketer during a recent event.
A video recording of Afridi receiving an animated reception on stage, greeted by roaring cheers from the crowd, circulated widely on social platforms. During his address at the event, Afridi expressed his fondness for "the Kerala part in India and its food."
The cultural event momentarily halted as the audience broke into chants of "Boom Boom," Afridi's iconic nickname, prompting his response, "Hogaya Boom Boom."
Since the attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives and exacerbated tensions between India and Pakistan, Afridi has provoked widespread criticism for his anti-India views. Speaking on Pakistan's Samaa TV in April, he accused Indian security forces of being ineffective and incapable of protecting their citizens.
Afridi also criticized the Indian media's coverage of the incident and indirectly targeted Indian cricketers who pointed fingers at Pakistan for the attack. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), later claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam strike.
The video from the Dubai event stirred indignation on various digital forums, with critics castigating the community for hosting Afridi. Comments poured in accusing the group of exhibiting disloyalty and insensitivity to Indian sentiments. Some individuals questioned the community's motives, with one user posting, "Don't they have anyone from India origin! Shame to see these happen."
Following the public outcry, the Kerala alumni group, Cochin University B.Tech Alumni Association (CUBAA UAE), issued an apology, clarifying that Afridi and Umar Gul's presence at the event was unintentional and unplanned. The group emphasized that the welcome extended to Afridi was not meant to endorse his controversial remarks.
The incident underscores the heightened sensitivity surrounding topics such as the Pahalgam terror attack, which strains the already tense relationship between India and Pakistan. The controversy serves as a reminder that acts perceived as supportive of controversial figures or issues can provoke strong reactions from communities of various nationalities.
- The controversy surrounding the Kerala community in Dubai, who hosted former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi, has extended beyond sports and entertainment, with finance, politics, and general news outlets now reporting on the issue.
- As the debate continues, numerous online platforms have covered the backlash, questioning whether the community's decision to welcome Afridi was an indication of disloyalty to India, given his anti-India views, particularly those expressed in relation to the Pahalgam terror attack.
- In the midst of increasing global decentralized finance (DeFi) adoption, this recent event also raises questions about the role community groups should play in the realm of social engagement, by carefully considering the potential political and cultural consequences of their actions.
