Pakistani singer Shiraz Uppal quits "un-Islamic" music

Lahore: Pakistani singer Shiraz Uppal has announced he is quitting music as he believes it is "un-Islamic".

"I have quit music and have decided to follow the true teaching of my religion," he said at a news conference.

He said he just wanted to be a "good Muslim and a good human" by following the Quran and Hadith.

Uppal is a singer and songwriter who released four albums, including one in India. His songs "Tera Te Mera", "Mann Ja Ve" and "Roya Re" earned him immense popularity in both India and Pakistan.

Explaining his reasons for giving up music, Uppal said: "For the past five to six months, a battle was going on between my heart and mind and finally I have decided to say goodbye to music." 
He said he had completed his masters in business administration and would set up his own business in future.

Uppal is not the first Pakistani musician to quit music on religious grounds. Junaid Jamshad of "Dil Dil Pakistan" fame and Ali Haider too gave up music after turning to religion.

Like these other singers, Uppal reportedly decided to turn to religion after coming into contact with the Tablighi Jamaat.

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Dav Whatmore Appointed As New Pakistan Team Coach

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced that Dav Whatmore will be the national team’s new coach.

Prior to Whatmore’s appointment Mohsin Hasan Khan was serving the coach for the national team.
Whatmore will assume charge during the upcoming Asia Cup in Bangladesh.
According to the PCB, Whatmore has signed a contract to serve as the coach for two years.
Julian Fountain has also been appointed the fielding coach for the side.

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Hollywood Director Sean Stone Converted To Islam, US Media Criticizes

Sean Stone, son of controversial director Oliver Stone, converted to Islam in Iran last week and says he’s already experiencing a Hollywood backlash.

The ceremony was held in Isfahan, where he is researching a documentary. He now goes by the name of Sean Christopher Ali Stone.

He told Page Six: “I’ve already experienced the reverse of anti-Semitism, having people within the film industry express a reluctance to work with me now that I have said a simple prayer, ‘There is no God but God, and Mohammed is his messenger.’ I am sure I have [bleeped] off some powerful people.” Speaking over dinner at Barrio 47, Sean told us, “Having read the Koran and having been around the Islamic culture, especially in Iran, I do believe that Mohammed is a prophet of the same god worshipped by other religions.

“I am of a Jewish bloodline, a baptized Christian who accepts Christ’s teachings, the Jewish Old Testament and the Holy Koran. I believe there is one God, whether called Allah or Jehovah or whatever you wish to name him. He creates all peoples and religions. I consider myself a Jewish Christian Muslim.

“What I am trying to do is open up a dialogue about religion. There is such Islamophobia in the West. Islam is not a religion of violence any more than Judaism or Christianity is.”

He said his dad welcomed the move.

“My dad said, ‘Allah be with you.’ My father understands that I am trying to bridge certain gaps and bring about peace.”

But he has been shocked by the reaction from others. Sean, about to release his horror movie “Graystone,” said, “I didn’t realize I would be so vilified. It is almost like I am a criminal for having accepted Islam. I didn’t realize Islamophobia was that deep. People have speculated that I have done this because I am from a spoiled family or that I am lost and trying to find myself. That is ridiculous.

“I don’t care if I get criticized. If I can open up a debate about religion and create some understanding, then it is worth it.”

Via NyPost

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