Deepak doesn’t fast but attends iftar: Areeba Habib reacts to criticism over Diwali celebration

Renowned actor Areeba Habib responded to the backlash over the Diwali celebrations at designer Deepak Parwani’s home, where several showbiz stars gathered to celebrate the Hindu festival.

Earlier, Areeba shared pictures of Diwali celebration on her Instagram account. She donned a traditional attire and  adorned her forehead with a bindi, a traditional Hindu custom, alongside other actresses.

Areeba addressed the criticism during a recent TV program, stating, “We have Christians and Hindus in Pakistan, and they celebrate our festivals too.”

She further explained, “Deepak still comes to our Iftar, even though he does not fast, because he respects our religion.”

The Jalan actor emphasised that the Hindu community in Pakistan is already small, and “we should gather during their festivities to make them feel appreciated and joyful.”

Areeba also mentioned that she has Christian staff at home and celebrates Christmas with them, highlighting the importance of sharing happiness across cultures and faiths.

The Koi Chand Rakh actor clarified that she is not encouraging anyone to convert to a different religion but believes in embracing the happiness of others.

Areeba stressed the importance of parents teaching their children about interfaith harmony.

On handling online criticism, Areeba shared that she has learned to ignore unwarranted comments, as engaging with critics online only gives them attention and fuels negativity.