Latest news with #PakistanAssociationDubai
Business Recorder
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Cricket has power to bring people, countries closer': Shahid Afridi on Pak-India relations
Shahid Afridi stressed the importance of dialogue between India and Pakistan during an interview with Khaleej Times on Monday, citing how 'cricket has the power to bring people and countries closer.' Afridi spoke about the importance of dialogue and interpersonal connections in resolving issues between India and Pakistan. 'If our politicians won't talk and we don't play each other, how will we ever solve anything?' he was further quoted as saying. Afridi was addressing a recent controversy where himself and former teammate Umar Gul were seen receiving a warm welcome by Keralites at an inter-collegiate dance event held at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) building on May 25. Footage from the event showing Afridi being cheered by a largely Indian crowd quickly spread on social media, fuelling criticism in India amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. Calling the reaction 'uncalled for', he sad, 'let's not politicise things, it wasn't even a planned appearance.' He explained how in the past 'the respect I received in India as a cricketer and as a captain of Pakistan has been overwhelming.' 'I've said it before and I'll say it again: the love I got there, I didn't get anywhere else, not even in Pakistan,' he was quoted as saying in Khaleej Times. 'Troubling mindset': FO rejects Indian leadership's remarks He added how he often interacts with members of the Asian community and enjoys those conversations. 'I meet so many Indians wherever I go. We chat, we joke, we share cricket memories. There's mutual respect. It's always a pleasure.'
Business Recorder
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Cricket has the power to bring people and countries closer': Afridi on Pak-India relations
Shahid Afridi addressed India-Pakistan relations in an interview with Khaleej Times on Monday, citing how 'cricket has the power to bring people and countries closer', while speaking about the love he has received in India among fans. Afridi was addressing a recent controversy where himself and former teammate Umar Gul were seen receiving a warm welcome by Keralites at an inter-collegiate dance event held at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) building on May 25. Footage from the event showing Afridi being cheered by a largely Indian crowd quickly spread on social media, fuelling criticism in India amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. Calling the reaction 'uncalled for', he sad, 'let's not politicise things, it wasn't even a planned appearance.' He explained how in the past 'the respect I received in India as a cricketer and as a captain of Pakistan has been overwhelming.' 'I've said it before and I'll say it again: the love I got there, I didn't get anywhere else, not even in Pakistan,' he was quoted as saying in Khaleej Times. 'Troubling mindset': FO rejects Indian leadership's remarks He added how he often interacts with members of the Asian community and enjoys those conversations. 'I meet so many Indians wherever I go. We chat, we joke, we share cricket memories. There's mutual respect. It's always a pleasure.' Afridi stressed the importance of dialogue and interpersonal connections in resolving issues between India and Pakistan. 'If our politicians won't talk and we don't play each other, how will we ever solve anything?' he was further quoted as saying.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kerala alumni association apologises for hosting Afridi in Dubai following social media backlash
In the video, the crowd is seen cheering Afridi and chanting his nickname 'boom boom'. The warm hospitality being extended to Afridi didn't go down well with a large section of social media users who then stormed the accounts of CUBAA office-bearers and attacked them for 'shamelessly' hosting the cricketer who had used every opportunity to demean India. When a social media user described the act as "shameful", another netizen said "they are fetting someone who has been trash-talking our country." As the incident triggered a widespread row, the CUBAA office-bearers, on Friday came out with an Instagram post expressing apology over the incident and said it was not intentional. Without naming Afridi, they said they had booked Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) as a venue of the second season of an inter-collegiate dance competition much before the tension between India and Pakistan. The same venue was used for the first season of the event last year also due to its affordability, the statement said.
United News of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Pro-Pak event in Dubai, Cochin University Alumni Association courts controversy
Kochi, May 31 (UNI) Courting a controversy, the Cochin University BTech Alumni Association has organised an event in Dubai, allegedly part of a Pakistan-backed propaganda campaign, raising questions about the role of Indian organisations abroad. The event "Orma Chuvadukal 2025" held at the Pakistan Association Dubai was orchestrated by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to create a false narrative that Indians support Pakistan's stance, former Hindu Aikya Vedi leader Dr. Bhargava Ram alleged on Saturday. The event, featuring Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul, has also raised questions about the extent of Pakistan's influence in the UAE and the potential consequences for those who collaborate with its agencies, according to Hindu monk Bhargav Ram. "The CUBAA's actions were a clear betrayal of national interests and demanded that the organization's dealings be investigated and those responsible be brought to justice." The Hindu leader also criticized CUBAA's attempts to shift the blame by claiming that the Pakistan Association Dubai organized the event. The controversy has sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning CUBAA's motives and allegiance. Bhargava Ram's statements have added fuel to the fire, and the issue is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the organization. As the debate rages on, Bhargava Ram's comments have sparked a renewed discussion on nationalism, loyalty, and the role of Indian organizations abroad. UNI DS BD
India.com
3 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Shahid Afridi Welcomed By Kerala Community In Dubai, Days After Pahalgam Attack Sparks Backlash
In a stunning display that has lit up social media with anger and disbelief, former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi was warmly received by members of the Indian Kerala community during an event at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD), just weeks after the horrific Pahalgam terror attack claimed 26 innocent lives. The event, which was meant to celebrate culture and unity, turned into a flashpoint for political and patriotic fury. The moment Afridi took the stage to a loud chorus of 'Boom Boom,' pausing a cultural program mid-way, drew sharp criticism, particularly in the wake of his incendiary anti-India comments following the April 22 attack in Kashmir. WHY? WHY? WHY? Former Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul received a rapturous welcome from the Indian Kerala community during an event held at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD). Afridi of all people? — Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) May 30, 2025 The Flashpoint: Afridi's Comments on the Pahalgam Attack Shahid Afridi has never shied away from controversy, but his recent comments on Pakistan's Samaa TV stirred nationalistic sentiments in India like never before. In a widely circulated clip, Afridi questioned the competence of the Indian Armed Forces, mocking the presence of 800,000 soldiers in Kashmir and yet, in his words, failing to prevent such a massive security breach. 'You have an 8 lakh strong army in Kashmir and this still happened? That means you are inefficient and useless,' Afridi declared on national television. These remarks came after the Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliate, took responsibility for the attack, which mainly targeted Indian and foreign tourists at Baisaran Meadows—a key tourist destination in Pahalgam. In response, the Indian government took the strong step of banning Afridi's YouTube channel, joining a list that now includes Shoaib Akhtar and Basit Ali's content blocks in India. Kerala Community's Gesture Draws National Ire The outrage didn't take long to erupt. Videos showing members of the Kerala community in Dubai cheering and chanting for Afridi quickly went viral, sparking what many have called a "national embarrassment." What was intended as a gesture of hospitality instead became a lightning rod for criticism. 'Patriotism gone for a six... what a shame,' wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). Another added, 'How much more disloyal can one be? Especially after what happened in Pahalgam?' The backlash also exposed the growing unease many Indians feel about cross-border engagements that ignore or gloss over serious national security concerns. For a country still mourning the loss of civilians in a devastating terror attack, the warmth shown to someone who openly questioned India's sovereignty felt like a betrayal. Why This Moment Matters This incident goes beyond a cultural event gone wrong—it's emblematic of the larger India-Pakistan dynamic, especially in the realm of soft diplomacy, sports, and public memory. Afridi, once a cricketing icon in the subcontinent, has increasingly positioned himself as a political voice, often making statements that strain his already delicate legacy in India. His admiration for Kerala's culture and cuisine, while seemingly benign, could not mask the hostility of his prior comments. The contradiction was not lost on the public, especially when national sentiments are raw. Keywords That Are Dominating the Conversation The incident has sparked a flurry of trending keywords across search engines and social platforms alike: Shahid Afridi controversy, Kerala community Dubai, Pahalgam terror attack, anti-India comments, Afridi Boom Boom Dubai, India Pakistan tensions 2025, Lashkar-e-Taiba Pahalgam, and Afridi banned in India. These phrases are driving traffic as the event continues to stir debate in digital spaces and drawing the attention of media houses, influencers, and political figures.
