Over the weekend in Kashmir, Maryam Nawaz (Vice president PML-N) made an antisemitic statement in her speech regarding the children of Imran Khan and Jemima Goldsmith. This was in direct response to the Prime Minister’s criticism of her son being able to play polo in Britain.
“This grandson who is playing polo in Britain […] I’ve met so many Kashmiris in London and Manchester, ask them what kind of person can play polo there. They will tell you it’s a king’s sport!” You need a lot of money to keep a horse and play polo. So tell us where this dear grandson got this money from. It’s your [the people’s] money!” – stated Prime Minister Imran Khan.
This advertently made Maryam Nawaz furious who then proceeded to say, “I didn’t want to bring children into it, but the way you’re talking, you’re going to get a befitting reply. He’s Nawaz Sharif’s grandson, not Goldsmith’s. He’s Nawaz Sharif’s grandson, he’s not being raised in the lap of Jews”
Jemima Goldsmith Claps Back & Calls Out Maryam Nawaz Over Antisemitic Statement
Jemima Goldsmith did not take kindly to the remarks made by Maryam Nawaz and expressed her concerns on Twitter about why she and her children were still an easy political target for Pakistani politicians even though it had been years since she’d left the country due to antisemitic attacks.
It’s ironic how Maryam Nawaz was irked when Imran Khan needlessly mentioned her son in his speech and then proceeded to do the same with his children…What happened to taking the moral high road? Are we going to start attacking children who have nothing to do with the politics of this country? Moreover, making antisemitic statements only marginalises the religious minorities in Pakistan further and makes them feel ostracized.
“The depressing thing about the anti- Semitism and Islamophobia row today is that there seems to be a genuine (and sometimes willful) lack of understanding, exacerbated by political and tribal allegiances, which makes people (Muslims & Jews/ Left & Right) deaf to/ unempathetic about what might be offensive to the other. The two are somehow even seen as mutually exclusive. It would be great if, when this Election, is over we could have a proper conversation.” – shared Jemima Goldsmith on Instagram in 2019
Naturally, when this news made headlines Pakistanis had a lot to say:
Many Sided With Maryam Nawaz
Others Called Her Out For Her Antisemitic Statement
It’s about time Pakistani politicians stop using religion in their mud-slinging tactics and actually focus on more pressing issues, such as poverty, unemployment and the rising number of domestic abuse cases. If this is what we’re going to fixate on we can never hope to resolve the numerous issues prevalent in our county.
Pakistan’s Battle With Sexism In Sports
This article is the collaboration effort of several members of Team FUCHSIA.
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