Meesha Shafi took the internet by storm yesterday when she opened up about being sexually harassed by actor/singer Ali Zafar.
Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my own experience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence that permeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out.. but it is harder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore #MeToo pic.twitter.com/iwex7e1NLZ
— Meesha Shafi (@itsmeeshashafi) 19 April 2018
Ali reverted by denying the Coke Studio sensation's claims . Not just that, he even said that he will take Meesha to court.
Now, a new development in the case has come forth. More women have come out in the open and alleged Ali of harassment. Check it out:
Thank you @itsmeeshashafi for your courage and your bravery. It’s never easy. But that should never silence us. I am in total solidarity with you. You are not alone in this because #Metoo #TimesUp #WeBelieveYou pic.twitter.com/hkQ61bqnFH
— Leena (@Leena_Ghani) 19 April 2018
Make-up artist Leena Ghani thanked Shafi for opening up and captioned her tweet, "Thank you @itsmeeshashafi for your courage and your bravery. It’s never easy. But that should never silence us. I am in total solidarity with you. You are not alone in this because #Metoo #TimesUp #WeBelieveYou (sic)."
So @itsmeeshashafi's brave sharing of her experience reminded me of a story about @AliZafarsays from many many years ago, when Ali Zafar tried to kiss my cousin and pull my cousin into a restroom with him. Luckily my cousin's friends were there to push Ali Zafar off https://t.co/kBQbBiwyFP
— Maham Javaid (@JMaham) 19 April 2018
This was on a boat on the way to a party at the Yacht Club between 2004-2005. Why don't I remember the date? Bc this is what's crazy: in those days such sexual harassment was such a non issue and simultaneously such a taboo that we hardly spoke about it
— Maham Javaid (@JMaham) 19 April 2018
We didn't even think of telling anyone, apart from friends, or reporting him because "he's a celebrity, no one would possibly care or listen". And tbh over the years we forgot the story ourselves, until today. Thanks @itsmeeshashafi for reminding us that our stories matters
— Maham Javaid (@JMaham) 19 April 2018
Journalist Maham Javaid also described an encounter with
Ali.
Blogger Humna Raza spoke about an alleged encounter when
Ali inappropriately touched her at a public event
@itsmeeshashafi you’re not alone. Please read this. #metoo @merabichrayaar @HaadeaP pic.twitter.com/3KzIenHnQn
— Humna Raza (@HumnaRaza) 19 April 2018
These are serious allegations. Let's see what Ali has to
say to them.
Image Source:
Pakshowbiz/alizafar/twitter/instagram