Mumbai: Mika Singh has sparked a conversation around how Pakistani Muslims are perceived in India, questioning why they are viewed differently from Muslims living in Dubai.
Speaking on the Baatein Dil Se podcast, Mika recalled his experiences in Pakistan and praised local Muslims for their role in serving and maintaining gurdwaras.
The singer said, “When I went to Pakistan, many Muslims who are our brothers have served at the gurdwaras and helped with the cleaning.”
Mika also reflected on the people he encountered at Sikh shrines in Pakistan. Saying that he does not view Pakistan or its people negatively, the singer questioned why Pakistani Muslims are perceived differently in India.
“Pakistan bura nahin. Pakistan ke log kahin se bure nahin hain. Ye bas pata nahin kyun humein Pakistan ke hi Musalman kharaab lagte hain. Lekin Dubai ke Musalman bahut achhe lagte hain. Ye mujhe aaj tak nahin samajh aaya (Pakistan isn’t bad. The people of Pakistan aren’t bad at all. I just don’t know why, but for some reason, we seem to dislike Muslims from Pakistan. But we really like Muslims from Dubai. I’ve never understood that),” he said.
Mika’s latest remarks also bring back memories of his controversial Pakistan visit in 2019.
The singer performed at a pre-wedding celebration in Karachi, reportedly hosted by a close relative of former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. A video from the event later surfaced online amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
Following the controversy, the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) announced a boycott of Mika and barred him from professional work in the Indian entertainment industry.
The restrictions were lifted later that month after the singer issued an apology.