Twitterati divided over Zaira Wasim's decision to quit films on religious ground; compares her with Nusrat

In a long Facebook post, Zaira said while Bollywood gave her huge popularity and success, she now feels that she does not belong here.

"I started to become the prime candidate of public attention, I was projected as the gospel of the idea of success and was often identified as a role model for the youth. However, that’s never something that I set out to do or become, especially with regards to my ideas of success and failure, which I had just started to explore and understand," she wrote.

As the actress completes five years in the industry, she said she is "not happy with "this identity i.e my line of work."

"As I had just started to explore and make sense of the things to which I dedicated my time, efforts and emotions and tried to grab hold of a new lifestyle, it was only for me to realise that though I may fit here perfectly, I do not belong here," the actress wrote.

The actress, who made an identity in the film 'Secret Superstar' said she cannot work in an environment that "consistently interfered with my imaan, my relationship with my religion was threatened."

"I continued to observe things and twist my perceptions as I wanted them to be, without really understanding that the key is to see them as they are. I kept trying to escape but somehow I always ended up hitting a dead end, in an endless loop with a missing element that kept torturing me with a longing I was neither able to make sense of nor satisfy," she shared.

Announcing her decision to quit the field, she wrote: "This journey has been exhausting, to battle my soul for so long. Life is too short yet too long to be at war with oneself. Therefore, today I arrive at this well-grounded decision and I officially declare my disassociation with this field."

Twitter reacts:

Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen could not support the decision taken by the actress and tweeted :" Oh My Goosebumps! Bollywood’s talented actress Zaria Wasim now wants to quit acting because she thinks her acting career almost destroyed her faith in Allah. What a moronic decision! So many talents in Muslim community are forced to go under the darkness of the burqa. "

Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah said: "Who are any of us to question @ZairaWasimmm’s choices? It’s her life to do with as she pleases. All I will do is wish her well & hope that what ever she does makes her happy."

FIlmmaker Onir tweeted: "It's someone's right to choose what profession one finds happiness in. Wish the decision did not have to be accompanied with a sermon on "good way of life" #ZairaWasim .The opposite is a huge struggle for many who are prevented to make the choice citing the idea as anti religion."

Author Tarek Fatah said: "‘Dangal’ star Zaira Wasim quits Bollywood. Claims her relationship with Islam was threatened. What next Zaira? A burka or a niqab? ."

Writer Zainab Sikander opined: "So Nusrat Jahan wears sindoor, it's her choice. Zaira Wasim quits films and it's not her choice? Oh no it's Islam again? Hypocrites!."

Journalist Rama Lakshmi tweeted: "ALL religions fill your head with spurious notions of pure/impure. When you've a modern Constitution, why do you turn to ancient religious texts to define morality?Dangal actor Zaira Wasim says Bollywood leading her away from faith, quits acting."

One Zubair appreciated the actress and said: "#zairawasim u Set an example 4 ppl who put money,galamour,haram over iman n islam.
People are wondering that you have destroyed your career but they don't know ur jst building 4 day of judgement.Hopefully they know someday....keep learning keep performing sunnah. "

EngiNerd, one Twitter user, said: " Zaira Wasim left bollywood because of her religion, big deal? Many people left this world for the same reason." 

Nusrat and fatwa:

Responding to Deoband clerics' fatwa (diktat) against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Nusrat Jahan Jain over her marriage with a Hindu businessman, the actress-turned politician said she represents "an inclusive India".

Issuing a statement on Twitter, Nusrat said: "I represent an inclusive India.. which is beyond the barriers of caste creed and religion.. as much as i respect all religions.. i still remain a muslim.. and non should comment on what i choose to wear.. faith is beyond attire.. and is more about believing and practicing the invaluable doctrines of all religions..." (sic)

What is the controversy?

Deoband clerics have issued a fatwa against Nusrat, who married businessman Nikhil Jain few days ago, stating that a Muslim woman should only marry a man belonging to the community.

Cleric Mufti Asad Wasmi  was quoted as saying by Times Now, “After investigation, we got to know that she married into the Jain religion, Islam says that a Muslim can only marry a Muslim. Second, I want to say that Nusrat Jahan is an actor and these actors do not care about religion. They do what they feel like doing. This is what she showcased in Parliament.”

“She came to Parliament with sindoor and mangalsutra, so it is a waste of time to talk about this. We cannot interfere in her life. I just told her what Shariat says with the help of media,” Wasmi added.