Sports

No, Afghans are not ‘Namak Haram’; keep your racism in check when criticising Afghan fans

Following Pakistan’s victory against Afghanistan in the Super 4 match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Afghanistan fans in the stadium were spotted throwing seats at Pakistan fans. A few Afghan fans were also caught on camera physically assaulting Pakistani cricket team supporters.

The videos are being widely shared on social media with people condemning these acts of hooliganism by Afghan fans at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. However, some people on social media, while denouncing the behaviour of Afghan fans, opted for racist abuse. A few referred to them as ‘Namak Haram’, a racist term often used to address Afghan immigrants living in Pakistan.

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People on social media are coming forward to condemn racist comments. Have a look at the tweets.

Such a great match, such a great performance, an absolute slobberknocker of a finish – there should be nothing but joy that one should feel as a Pakistani cricket fan tonight but it is so terrible to see NamakHaram trending.

Just a dreadful word to use for people.
— Shehzad Ghias Shaikh (@Shehzad89) September 7, 2022

Just takes a few people to instigate intergroup abuse, racist slurs and violence. Don't be that person. Have a bigger heart. Let it go. #PakvsAfg
— Syed Ali Abbas Zaidi (@Ali_Abbas_Zaidi) September 8, 2022

The very same people who were sharing clips from the Indian space praising our players are now hurling racist abuse against the Afghanistan cricket team.
— Hasan Saeed (@hasansaeed6) September 7, 2022

Caught some analysis on one of the national channels & was taken aback by the condescending tone that the host of the show took towards the Afghanistan players. One of the best elements about our present 🇵🇰 team is the humility with which they go about their job. Learn from them!
— Haider Azhar (@HaiderAzhar) September 7, 2022

Mohsin Dawar, Member National Assembly from North Waziristan also came forward to condemn the racist comments.

“Using a cricket match as an excuse to hurl racist abuse against Afghans is peak shamelessness. Pakistan’s decades-old strategic depth policy and interventionist misadventures in Afghanistan are why Afghans have a problem with Pakistan. Introspect before belittling Afghans,” he wrote.

Using a cricket match as an excuse to hurl racist abuse against Afghans is peak shamelessness. Pakistan's decades old strategic depth policy and interventionist misadventures in Afghanistan is why Afghans have a problem with Pakistan. Introspect before belittling Afghans.
— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) September 7, 2022

No, Afghans are not ‘Namak Haram’; keep your racism in check when criticising Afghan fans

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