Over the years, Urban Outfitters, a store best known for catering to hipster culture and fashion, has managed to offend quite a number of groups including the Jews, African Americans, Native Americans, and the gay community. The last controversy stirred up in April when the company churned out shirts with a six-pointed star on it that greatly resembled the Star of David patch worn by the Jews as forced by the German Nazis. Just 2 months later, they have successfully angered many religions with the use of the hamsa symbol in one of their collections.

The hamsa, also known as khamsa, depicts an open right hand and is commonly used as an amulet in many societies. Throughout history, this symbol of protection has been believed to provide defense against the evil eye and can usually be found made into jewelry or wall hangings. The hamsa, used by the Muslims and Levantine Christians, has also found its way into the Jewish tradition after its widespread use in the Islamic world. Thus, there is a slight variation in their names, with the symbol being known as the hand of Fatima, the hand of Mary and the hand of Miriam, respectively.

The new hamsa designs have sparked the outrage of Internet users who are now circulating the pictures around social media networks. Many claim that they are boycotting the company while urging others to do the same. With words like ‘insulting’ and ‘dumb’ being associated with Urban Outfitters, it does seem like the company’s latest attempt at being edgy is about to blow up in their face. It does not help that one of their designers have apparently claimed to state, “Fashion makes racism cool.”

For some, Urban Outfitters’ use of the hamsa was justified. Parul Sharma, a Mumbai based author, states that while the religious symbol may not be a fashion statement for one person, it could be the case for others.

Mehreen Kasana, a student based in Lahore, Pakistan furiously disagrees. “My religion is not a fashion statement. Do not wear the Khamsa or any other religious symbol when you don’t know what it signifies and aren’t part of that faith. Commodifying someone’s belief is disrespectful and pathetic. The instant reaction to someone’s offense in this case is, “Oh lighten up! It’s just a shirt!” No. It isn’t. It’s an insult and people will call you out on it. If you still choose to trivialize someone’s faith, don’t expect us to be nice,” she says.

Urban Outfitters may have well stirred up another controversy for themselves in an attempt to garner attention, perhaps taking the phrase ‘any publicity is good publicity’ to heart. For a brand so focused on making a statement, commonly showing disregard for the boundary between art and respect for other religions,this may well be the recipe for success.

In previous cases, after mounting pressure from the public, the company discontinued the production and sale of some of their items bearing sensitive nature, although it is still unclear what actions will be taken for this controversial product.

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Over the course of the years since its independence from the British empire in 1947, Pakistan has tried to establish itself as a Muslim state that borders in between a liberal one and a more conservative Islamic country. The attempt at trying to find the right balance to accommodate the opposing viewpoints have led to some clashes, including the buzz of Maya Khan, a Pakistani morning talk show host who has taken it upon herself to chase down unmarried couples in local parks and publicizing their actions on a local TV channel. A relationship before marriage is largely frowned upon and is deemed immoral in the Islamic point of view.

Mehreen Kasana, an American/Pakistani student and a TEDxKinnaird speaker based in Lahore was outraged by Maya Khan’s action. Even though this incident happened a few months ago, Mehreen Kasana, a member of the younger generation of Pakistan has spoken out and stood up as part of the more liberal side of Pakistan by writing an open letter to Maya Khan.

Toonari Post (TP): What was your main reason behind writing the letter? Why did you feel compelled to even write one?

Mehreen Kasana (MK): I’ll put it bluntly: I had seen way too much of intrusion by media into personal lives on TV, newspapers and social media outlets, and I thought it’s about time I did my part even if it meant like jotting down a simple, open letter to one of these people who should display regard for ethics and privacy.

TP: Did you expect the the letter to go viral?

MK: No. I never knew a serious, slightly angry letter would garner so much attention. I guess I hit a nerve somewhere. I’m glad it did.

TP: Do you feel that your views might be influenced by the fact that you were born and raised in the USA?

MK: Yes and no. While there is considerable respect for personal space and privacy in the US where I was raised, there are ample instances of the same in Pakistan and other places in the subcontinent but, like I’ve said before, that regard is unfortunately rejected by a certain type of self-righteous moral police that believe that the sole purpose of their existence is to dictate what is perfect conduct according to them.

In this dictation they completely forget that the religion (Islam in this case) they’re using as an excuse to carry out this invasion of privacy, is the same religion that places emphasis on hiding the flaws of others, leaving private affairs between said person and Allah only. I think this problem is one of the consequences of conflating culture with religion. In the cultures of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, there are some men and women who believe that the ‘goodness’ of their character is determined by their ability to cleanse society of its ‘evil.’  Imagine if such a figure is given a microphone, camera and their very own morning talk show. Things can get messy.

TP: What is your personal view on unmarried couples hanging out in such public places?

MK: If you want my take on simple, unmarried couples taking walks in public parks or eating vanilla ice cream, it’s simple: Please let them be. One of the driving concerns of Maya Khan’s interrogation of the couple was that, according to her, perhaps they were indulging in sex trafficking. I understand that because it has happened in family parks and, yes, this is detrimental to the safety of the people (including children) in those parks but you can seek the help of law for that. Public vigilantism is not the way to go about it.

TP: Do you think that Pakistan is ready for more strictly imposed Islamic laws as they have in Saudi Arabia, whereby unmarried couples can be caught and fined?

MK: That’s enforcing Islamic law on everyone – including minorities that don’t follow these restrictions basically because they’re not Muslims to begin with. That’s wrong. In my opinion, no one should be penalized merely due to a theocratic state’s set of laws. It’s an infringement on their autonomy – something that is un-Islamic. While there are people in Pakistan who would happily endorse such a punishment, there are also a considerable number of people – including Muslims like yours truly – who oppose it.

TP: What do your friends and family think of the open letter? How has the public response been?

MK: I’ve received immense support and positive criticism after I wrote the letter along with some angry trolling too. It opened ways for dialogue concerning Islam, societal ethics, the obvious deteriorating state of professional journalism in Pakistan and a lot more. My mother laughed while reading the letter because she knew it took a lot for me to contain my disdain for invasive media.  My father has been my pillar despite our difference of opinion on religion, culture, politics, etc. He also supported the letter.

Unlike many Pakistani fathers, he refuses to give in to the public outcry that is, “Your daughter has brought shame to your family by having a male friend!” We’re from a very traditional family of landlords. The idea of a liberated, outspoken daughter is dangerous because the orthodox concept of ‘honor’ clashes with progressive, moderate followers of Islam – what we happen to be. There were some threats from the fans of Maya Khan. Someone said they’ll “show up at my college” and “teach me a lesson.” I waited for the lesson. It never came.

TP: If there is one thing you could say to Maya Khan, what would it be?

MK: Bearing no grudges against you, I am certain that you’ve realized you made a mistake by chasing those couples but I hope that, now that you’ve started another show, you’ll rise above your error and become someone worth admiring in terms of media ethics. Channel that energy for a good, legitimate cause.

For more of Mehreen Kasana, visit her personal blog.

The article Mehreen Kasana: Speaking Out Against Pakistan’s Moral Police appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.