KARACHI: Not even 24 hours into Abdullah Qureshi’s announcement that he is quitting the music industry for religious reasons, has controversy erupted. And at the heart of it is singer Natasha Baig. While many were quick to laud Abdullah Qureshi for his decision, Natasha Baig was not amused. In a series of tweets, the ‘Shikwa Jawab-e-Shikwa’ singer called out Qureshi for trying to make musicians out to be villains. Naturally, many raised issue with Baig’s stance and so the singer clarified her position in another post.
It all began with Natasha Baig voicing her opinion on singers such as Abdullah Qureshi who leave the music industry because of their “religious awakenings.” She tweeted, “I will never appreciate those musicians who leave behind their career in the name of awakening. Coz that proves the wrong narrative that has been attached with music. So please go ahead and congrats on your awakening but do not make us look like villains in the process.”
1/2 I will never appreciate those musicians who leave behind their career in the name of awakening. Coz that proves the wrong narrative that has been attached with music. So please go ahead and congrats on your awakening but do not make us look like villains in the process
— Natasha Baig (@imnatashabaig) October 6, 2022
However, her tweets were not well received by many who went on to call her out for being disrespectful towards others and their religious beliefs.
Can we please stop imposing our personal beliefs on others just to feel better about ourselves? This opinion is ignorant and not needed because it implies how you disrespect someone’s choice which has nothing to with you. Worst way to attract attention.
— Sanu. (@beingsleepyhead) October 6, 2022
He didn’t even say anything that could make ANY singer look bad let alone sinful, seems to be your own guilt speaking. On the other hand if you cannot appreciate something, especially this thing, then don’t criticize it either when there isn’t even a need to.
— Gulen (@Gulen_920) October 7, 2022
And so, Natasha Baig took to social media to clarify her stance on Abdullah Qureshi, music and religion. She wrote, “There is nothing wrong in becoming a devotee of your creator and I think it is a beautiful journey Abdullah Qureshi has chosen. People need to calm down because I never said he did wrong, all I’m tryna say is that music is a universal language.”
She also felt the need to emphasize on the fact, “I’m a proud Muslim and follower of Allah and Rasool Allah s.a.w.w too and it hurts my sentiments too because just like you I have a tendency to be emotional too. You can’t decide who’ll go to heaven or hell but if I’m doing music that makes me no less than any other Muslim.”
