Kashmir Digits

As the results of Class 12th exams in Kashmir were declared, Arusa Parvaiz a science student was over the moon. She had topped the board exams in science stream with 499/500 marks and her happiness knew no bounds.

Pictures, videos of her celebrating a career milestone went viral. But little did she know that in a space of a few hours the most delightful moment of her fledgling career would turn into the most toxic one as well.

Various videos of Arusa celebrating the occasion while also talking about her success went viral. The people online were quick to point that Arusa was not covering her head in with a scarf or hijab in any of the videos or pics online.

While some people took to defending her stating that covering one’s head is a choice, most people were ruthless in their bashing of the young student, calling her out for not being a pious muslim.

Here are some the comments that came to light after Arusa’s hijab-less photos and videos went online.

While some people have called her out for not covering her head, others have gone too far with their toxicity and made outrageous comments.

Clarifying these “groundless online fatwas”, Mufti Azmatullah of Darul Uloom Rahimia, Bandipora told media outlet that Islam doesn’t allow trolling or issuing fatwa on social media to anyone.

“People have no right to give violent moral lessons to anyone,” Mufti Azmatullah said.

“Islam teaches us to educate others through Dawah. By trolling or criticizing them or their families, you commit a bigger crime.” he said.

There are few arguments to be made here. One is that which is obvious and that is the toxic trolling culture in Kashmir. Instead of addressing each other politely over any issue be it religious or not we are quick to ridicule, become expert in the subjects and pass on judgement without a second thought.

Arusa is not the first victim of such vile online targeting, there have been incidents where an individual has been made to regret his/her choices by people they have never met in real life.

This sort of behaviour is not restricted to only online abuse, we have a common mindset in this regard when it comes to day to day life as well. The moment we see someone doing something not acceptable to us or someone being relatively successful we are quick to point out their shortcomings and attack them for their personal choices.

In Quran Allah mentions “O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers.”  – 49:11.

Also in the Quran, “So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah . Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].” 3:159.

One of the biggest problems with such a vicious response to someone is that this sort of judgement is reserved only to a certain section of people. The way Arusa was victimized is not something you will see for someone let us say a man who exposes his body from top to bottom as part of his workout or someone singing or dancing.

This selective targeting is dangerous and we should refrain from it.

But Listen…..

While the way Arusa was dragged into this mire was not appropriate, there is notion that hijab is for a Muslim women a matter of her lifestyle and choice.

Hijab as we should be aware in Islam is an obligation. Had the young topper been properly addressed by people online and in person educated about the importance of covering one’s head may be this would have turned into a blessing for her.

Still some of the detractors were correct to point out that Hijab for a Muslim woman is obligatory.

In Quran it is mentioned, “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allaah is Ever Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful” (33:59).

The choice still rests with the individual but to dismiss Hijab as not an essential part of Islam is too naïve.

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Irresponsible Media

Another argument to have in this case was the irresponsible reporting on behalf of many media outlets. Individuals who saw her photos and videos began sharing them without any regard of the repercussions for the teenager are the first to be blamed.

While media did a good job of highlighting her success the same media began comparing her to the ‘Hijab Girl’ from Karnataka in the ongoing Hijab row. Pictures of Arusa side by side that girl sent a wrong and ill informed message.

This was clearly a case of social media journalism and sensationalism taking over and the rat race of being first to report any news. It was insensitive of media to bring her out in the public domain like that especially those social media journalists without any regard for the backlash she faced later.

Opinion

This was a huge milestone for Arusa Parvaiz, securing top spot in the science stream with 499 marks is no mean feat. However, at this age it is important to feel confident but not get overwhelmed by any success you achieve.

Arusa would have still been the topper had media covered her achievement or not. She would still have this milestone for her life regardless of many social media accounts posted about her success.

But once you are in the public domain and viral in a sensitive society like Kashmir, you will have to be prepared for anything.

It is not an argument to defend the trolls but one should learn to keep their successes and failures private and learn from them. Your family, your close friends are enough for you to cherish and celebrate any joyful moment in your life.

They were the ones with you when you got trolled and after the dust is settled they would still be by your side.

Being in limelight is good and all until someone says something that really ruins what you have achieved. We need to learn that our lives are not meant to be televised on social media and whatever happens with us helps us grow as an individual and is a part of the process.

Arusa will have many more successes to come and it is important to share that with people that know you ,but not everyone needs a peak into your life.

Once you are successful, people will want a part of it, most of them for their own gains, who you share your success and happiness with rests with you.