Are netizens cancelling Zainab ke papa?

Social media content in Pakistan frequently dominates the online space, with YouTubers, influencers, and TikTokers actively engaging in the pursuit of creating 'viral' content to amass subscribers, likes, and shares. Yet, within this competitive landscape, these social media icons are susceptible to meticulous scrutiny from netizens, leading to swift criticism and unfollowing if they become overly hyped.

The viral content, characterised by its contagious nature, often comprises humorous memes, nonsensical elements, or controversial statements.

Amidst the latest viral trends in Pakistan, Arsdhadreels, also known as Zainab Ke Papa, gained attention on the internet with his life lessons videos based on religious teachings, where he engages with his wife and children.

With 5.55 million following on YouTube, the YouTuber was applauded for imparting Islamic values within a Muslim family, he garnered praise from social media users who viewed his work as sensible. However, his content later faced close scrutiny, prompting netizens to reconsider their initial perceptions.

Few of the videos that went viral on internet, one of them shows Zainab Ke Papa referring to his daughter as 'Kaali,' and in one instance, he forbids his wife from going to the mosque, citing an Islamic tradition. These specific videos are gaining viral attention.

Social media users considered his comments about his daughter's skin tone to be insensitive, reinforcing the prevailing stigma in Pakistan surrounding darker-skinned girls and standards of beauty.

In contrast, opinions on the mosque video were diverse, with some endorsing his actions and others suggesting that he cited the tradition without proper context. Some asserted that women were authorised by the Prophet (PBUH) to participate in mosque activities.

Journalist Sabahat Zakaria observed that while Zainab ke Papa's content is generally positive, she hinted at certain problematic aspects within it.

Numerous netizens expressed their disappointment, noting that Zainab ke Papa, initially seen as addressing 'toxic masculinity,' doesn't align as closely with ‘woke’ perspectives as he portrayed himself in the majority of his videos.

Acha, I went back and saw several of the reels again, and they ARE cute and do mostly forward positive ideas about family life. And since it’s not politically correct to take Zainab ki Mama’s attire into account, tau theek hai, lekin it does hint at what was revealed in this… https://t.co/NgVojHZarM

— Sabahat Zakariya (@sabizak) December 18, 2023

BREAKING: Pakistanis discover zainab ke papa isnt as woke as they thought he was

— Anas Tipu (@teepusahab) December 18, 2023

Zainab ke Papa and Justice Qazi Faiz Isa turned out to be the two biggest disappointments of 2023 https://t.co/rc8QbFNnxy

— Syed Zain Raza (@SydZainRaza) December 18, 2023