MUMBAI: Actress Shireen Mirza, who plays cunning ‘Simmi’ in Ekta Kapoor’s Yeh Hai Mohabbatein shares a heart-wrenching post stating that she is struggling to get a home in Mumbai just because she is Muslim.
Shireen, who hails from Jaipur has been staying in the Mumbai for eight long years shared her agony in a detailed post on Facebook and Instagram on Tuesday.
Read her full post here:
“I don’t deserve to get a house in Mumbai because I’m M B A- MUSLIM, BACHELOR, ACTOR.
This pic was taken when I came here with a dream of living in Mumbai and now After spending almost 8 years in this city this is what I get to hear.. Firstly, Yes I’m an Actor and I do not Smoke or drink and I have no criminal records. So, How can they judge my character on the basis of my profession??
Second, I’m a bachelor and when I call brokers they ask me higher rents for the flats which are available saying Pay extra or u won’t get it since ur a Bachelor. My question is nuisance can be created by families too???
Shireen also said she was told point blank that “Muslims are not preferred”.
Third, I called up another person and they ask me wether I am a Hindu or a Muslim and reverted back with an answer that Muslims are not preferred. They also mentioned that take the flat on ur friend’s name who’s not a Muslim. I mean what’s in a name???
There’s no difference in the blood.
Renting or buying a property in the city that never sleeps. Mumbai which prides itself on its cosmopolitan character is divided on basis of religion, profession and marital status??
I’m shocked to see that Mumbai which has given me so much that I don’t stop praising about Mumbai by calling it Aamchi Mumbai still doesn’t have a place for me and so many of us coming from out of town still struggling with identity crises.
With a heavy heart and after many refusals my question is
Do I belong to this city ??
#supportandshare”
Soon after the actress share her story of struggle, she finally got hold of a suitable house.
“The good news is, I have finally got a house. Just a few hours after I put up the post yesterday, a non-Muslim person called me and offered me his house. He, who said was a Brahmin, said that he did not have an issue with me being a Muslim or of any other caste. I couldn’t express my emotions then and was delighted to see such positivity suddenly appear out of a wave of negativity.”