Shaista Lodhi is a well-known host and actress. She recently shared her thoughts about performing Umrah and how being a celebrity sometimes affects personal and spiritual moments.
She spoke about how people often fail to respect boundaries, surround public figures with questions, and take pictures without permission, even in sacred places like Makkah. While speaking on a Ramadan transmission, Shaista talked about her experience.
She described it as the most unforgettable moment of her life. She was extremely grateful to Allah that her journey to the Holy Kaaba took place. That too in the most unexpected manner, making it even more special.
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Throughout her pilgrimage, she sincerely enjoyed and cherished every moment in worship. In comparison, focusing on prayers and embracing the spiritual aura. She also added the challenges celebrities faced even in such personal moments.
Shaista explained that many times people approach public figures without considering their privacy. Shaista recalled that while praying at Hateem, one of the holiest spots within Masjid al-Haram, people secretly started taking her pictures.
She said, “I had no idea what they intended to do with photos of me at the Holy Kaaba.” She also remembered another uncomfortable moment: “During my prayer, some women started recording videos and asked me, ‘What are you doing here?’ I was left speechless, unsure how to respond.”
Host Faysal Quraishi also added stories similar to those of other celebrities. He mentioned that one of his famous friends was asked who sponsored their Umrah. He also recalled that actress Javeria Saud was questioned about why she was at the holy site.
Faysal noted that while such questions may not always come from a hostile place, they often rise from excitement at seeing a celebrity. However, he stressed that religious journeys are deeply personal.
He also said that people should not expect public figures to engage with fans during such sacred moments. Shaista noted that celebrities, despite their fame, seek the same peace and devotion during Umrah as any other worshipper.