Kerala Community In Dubai Faces Backlash For Hosting Shahid Afridi

A Dubai-based Kerala expat community faced backlash for hosting Shahid Afridi after his controversial remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack.

Social media users condemned the organisers' over alleged lack of solidarity with victims.

Source : X

A Kerala expatriate community in Dubai is under fire after hosting former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi at a recent cultural event, triggering a wave of online outrage. The controversy follows Afridi’s inflammatory remarks in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. In the video that went viral on social media, Afridi received a rapturous welcome from Keralites with the audience cheering and chanting his famous nickname, “Boom Boom,” as he took the stage. 

Afridi praised Kerala for its hospitality and especially mentioned his likeness to Kerala cuisine. He also responded to the crowd’s enthusiasm with his trademark line, “Hogaya Boom Boom”, reported Zee News. 

While the event organizers portrayed the gathering as a cultural celebration, the gesture has drawn intense criticism on social media, with many labeling it “insensitive” and “tone-deaf.” Critics argue that honouring Afridi so soon after his controversial statements on the Pahalgam attack demonstrates a lack of solidarity with the victims and their families.

The social media users also called the hosts "disloyal", "disgraceful" and "shameless".

Afridi's Controversial Statement After Pahalgam Attack 

Afridi had previously stirred outrage by blaming the Indian armed forces for the April 22 attack, despite it being widely attributed to Pakistan-based terror networks. He questioned the effectiveness of India’s military presence in Kashmir, claiming that even with over 800,000 troops deployed, such incidents continue to occur — remarks that were met with widespread condemnation in India, as per a report on The Hindustan Times.

The backlash highlights the fine line diaspora communities often navigate when engaging with public figures linked to politically sensitive issues. While Afridi remains a celebrated sports icon in many circles, his political comments have made him a deeply polarizing figure, especially in the current climate of strained Indo-Pak relations.