“Those who sought to distance us from Islam have brought us closer to it," says Ushna Shah

Renowned actor Ushna Shah expressed her discomfort with narratives focused on 'sustaining marriages at all costs while addressing the portrayal of violence against women in dramas.

The ‘Cheekh’ actor recently appeared in a podcast, delving into her critique of violence against women in dramas and shared how the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza led her to delve deeper into understanding religion on her own.

Responding to social media criticism about her acting, Ushna Shah expressed her aversion to storylines in dramas perpetuating the idea of 'women forever maintaining marriages at all cost.' 

She expressed regret for participating in dramas depicting the abuse of women by in-laws and husbands, “where the storyline suggests such marriages are untenable, yet ultimately, the woman forgives the abusers and doesn't end the marriage.”

The celeb shared her perspective, drawing from her own family experience. Despite her mother's commendable efforts in single-handedly raising her children, “society still attached a stigma of divorce to her.”

Ushna Shah emphasised that “while divorce is discouraged in Islam, Allah has granted women this right for valid reasons. “

Expressing contentment in her nearly one-year marriage, she questioned, “My worth and completeness as a human being would diminish if, God forbid, my marriage didn't last until her death? 

When asked about her consistent passion for delving into Islamic history and religion, Ushna maintained, “No, I’ve become interested in religion now, especially what is happening in Palestine, I feel so strongly about our identity.”

“Those who sought to distance us from our religion have ironically brought us closer to it, given what is happening in Palestine,” she asserted. 

The ‘Habs’ actor expressed her unwavering support for Palestinians, mentioning her practice of reading the English translation of the Holy Quran. The distressing situation in Palestine motivated her to undertake Umrah, leading to a deeper connection with Islam and a return to religious roots for many, including herself.

“It is a calling from God, I am reading the Quran in English, I want to understand it,” she noted.

Discussing a social media post about wearing the hijab during Umrah, Shah clarified that while she felt great doing so, it doesn't signify an immediate transition to adopting the hijab permanently or abandoning her personal choices. 

The ‘Balaa’ actor emphasised the personal nature of such choices, expressing frustration with societal perceptions that associate modest clothing with goodness and more revealing outfits with negativity.

"I found the hijab a positive experience - the ease of not having to worry about angles, the inherent modesty, along with the freedom from hair styling concerns, are all appealing. What truly resonated with me was the sense of personal fulfilment in expressing my faith through it," she said.

Ushna Shah also condemned brands like Zara, whose recent fashion campaign displayed insensitive imagery related to the Palestinian victims of the Israeli genocide, and called out celebrities who cultivate a humanitarian image yet lack the courage to speak out against injustice.