Shaan Shahid tweeted something inappropriate and Pakistani Twitter is calling it as an ‘incitement to violence’.
Many of us know Shaan Shahid for films like Khuda Kay Liye, Waar and Arth 2: The Destination. What most of us don’t know is that he also happens to be quite vocal on social media.
Recently, Shaan quoted a saying from Muslim emperor Salahuddin Ayoubi (it wasn’t by the emperor, but more on that later). It just ended up rubbing people the wrong way.
“Kill the traitors before your enemies.”
https://twitter.com/mshaanshahid/status/1137035020407836675
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Some might attribute his tweet to being nationalistic and patriotic, but not everyone saw it that way. People were taken aback (even scared) that Shaan was implying something more deadly.
A teacher from LUMS certainly saw it that way:
https://twitter.com/nidkirm/status/1137092698165391366
To this Shaan responded with ‘can’t a guy just quote a historical tweet around here?‘
https://twitter.com/mshaanshahid/status/1137115756833980423
The Majajan actor then tried to clarify his comments. However, seeing as the quote was wrongly attributed to Salahuddin, people decided to set the record straight.
https://twitter.com/omar_quraishi/status/1138065936790036480
The quote Shaan used is not even from Salahuddin. It originated from the Latin phrase Si vis pacem, para bellum. Turns out its also the name of an episode from Star Trek: Discovery.
Some more history lessons, this time on Pakistani cinema.
https://twitter.com/Zohrakhan1222/status/1137204353280987138
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It gets pretty intense from here:
https://twitter.com/NB11234/status/1137112121752395777
https://twitter.com/sonisarwat/status/1137352282436186113
https://twitter.com/manzarbashir/status/1137343079403413507
Research Is Important
In the age of the Internet, people ought to do their research. When they don’t, well then they get schooled on social media.
We cannot confirm for sure that Salahuddin Ayoubi did say this or that he didn’t. But what we do know that he was also famous for being merciful. Here’s what French historian Rene Grousset said about him:
“[Saladin’s] generosity, his piety, devoid of fanaticism… won him no less popularity in Frankish Syria than in the lands of Islam.”
We also know that the emperor said:
“I warn you against shedding blood, indulging in it or making a habit of it, for blood never sleeps.”
Now we get it, that in order to achieve peace, military ommanders like Salahuddin have to prepare for war. However, that doesn’t take away the fact that his idea of victory was more about not indulging in unnecessary bloodshed. So we’re guessing he wasn’t big on incitement of violence. He chose instead to build an empire on alliances and goodwill.
“Victory is changing the hearts of your opponents with gentleness and kindness.”
Guess Shaan Shahid should have hired better social media interns.
