You Look Strange: Mahenur Haider Shares Why She Stopped Wearing a Burqa

Pakistani actress and model Mahenur Haider, known for her role as ‘Apana’ in the popular drama serial ‘Khay,’ recently opened up about why she stopped wearing a burqa.

During a candid conversation on actor and host Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, Mahenur shared that although her family is devout and prays regularly, there is no tradition of wearing a burqa or covering their heads with dupattas or shawls. Despite this, she chose to start wearing a burqa in 2009 when she was in the ninth grade.

Also Read: Glastonbury 2024: Dressing Down Seen as a Bid for Relevance, Not Just Fashion

The actress recounted her first experience wearing a burqa in front of her father, expecting him to be proud. Instead, he laughed and questioned, “What hypocrisy is this?” Reflecting on this, Mahenur now understands her father’s reaction. He wanted her to focus on internal growth before making external changes.

Following this, Mahenur revealed that her friends mocked her for wearing a burqa, and her mother was not supportive either. Her mother often remarked, “Mahenur, you look strange with us. When we go out, you don’t seem like part of our family.”

These reactions led her to stop wearing the burqa. Now, Mahenur feels liberated and wears a burqa only when she wants to, without covering her head with a dupatta to avoid public criticism for inconsistencies in her appearance.