“Women asked why I was there:” Shaista Lodhi recalls her Umrah experience

Renowned host and actor Shaista Lodhi recently shared her Umrah experience, reflecting on how being a public figure can sometimes intrude on deeply personal and spiritual moments.

She highlighted how people tend to surround celebrities with questions and take pictures without consent, even in sacred spaces.

Speaking on a Ramadan show, Shaista expressed how blessed she felt when her Umrah journey unexpectedly came to fruition, calling it one of the most memorable moments of her life.

During her pilgrimage, Shaista cherished every moment of worship, immersing herself in prayers and relishing the spiritual experience. However, she acknowledged that even in such deeply personal settings, being a celebrity can become a source of discomfort, especially when people fail to respect their privacy.

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Host Faysal Quraishi shared similar accounts from other celebrities, revealing that one of his famous friends was asked who had sponsored thier Umrah. He also mentioned that actress Javeria Saud was questioned about what she was doing there.

Expressing surprise at such scrutiny, Faysal remarked that celebrities should not be expected to entertain others at holy sites, emphasising that Umrah is a deeply personal journey for everyone.

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Shaista Lodhi then chimed in, sharing her own unsettling experience: “I was praying at Hateem (one of the most sacred areas within Masjid al-Haram) when people started secretly taking my pictures. I had no idea what they intended to do with photos of me at the Holy Kaaba.”

She further recounted,“During my prayer, some women started recording videos and asked me, ‘What are you doing here?’ I was left speechless, unsure how to respond.”

Faysal Quraishi noted that while such questions may not always come from a place of ill intent, they often stem from excitement upon seeing a celebrity.