Pakistani Olympic Gold Winning Athlete Nadeem Seen with Alleged Terrorist
NEW DELHI, Aug 13: Pakistan’s Olympic gold medallist in javelin throw Arshad Nadeem has been seen in a viral video with a man designated as a terrorist by the United States, sparking a massive online debate.
In the widely shared video, Nadeem — who is receiving global acclaim for his Paris performance — could be seen chatting with Mohammad Harris Dhar. According to Indian security grid sources, Dhar is a joint secretary of the Mili Muslim league (MML), a political front of the proscribed terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
While a section of social media users has claimed that the meeting between the two took place after Nadeem returned to Pakistan, security grid sources have yet to confirm the timing of the meeting. According to them, it is not confirmed if the interaction captured on camera happened after Arshad won gold at the Paris Olympics or before.
The MML is an outfit floated by Hafiz Saeed, believed to be the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. In 2018, the US Department of Treasury named seven “specially designated global terrorists” — MML president Saifullah Khalid, Muzammil Iqbal Sashimi, Harris Dhar, Tabish Qayyum, Fayyaz Ahmad, Faisal Nadeem, and Muhammad Ehsan. They were suspected of acting on behalf of the LeT.
The MML was formed in 2017 by Saeed. He had said the MML would contest the 2018 elections, but it was never registered as a political party after the US sanctions.
Meanwhile, in the lighter side of the gifts being showered on his securing the Olympic gold and also record, Pakistani-American businessman Ali Sheikhani is being trolled on social media after he announced a Suzuki Alto as a gift for Nadeem.
The javelin thrower scripted history in France with a throw of 92.97 metres. Not only did he set an Olympic record, but also got Pakistan its first gold medal since the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
Days after the triumph, multiple outlets claimed that Pakistani-American businessman Ali Sheikhani would gift the javelin star a ‘brand new’ car for the historic feat. Pakistani activist Syed Zafar Abbas Jafri had reportedly announced the news in a video. A fan has now shared the news on X while writing, “Update: Pakistani-American businessman Ali Sheikhani has announced a brand new Suzuki Alto car for Arshad Nadeem for winning Gold medal in Paris Olympics. Well deserved.”
As the news went viral, several fans flocked to the comments section to share their thoughts. While some were happy for the athlete, others mocked the businessman for the ‘cheap’ offering to Nadeem. A user wrote, “This is an insult…he deserves BMW or Audi.” One couldn’t believe the news was true as he asked, “Is this a joke or something?” A netizen said, “Alto??? Why? Could not find anything cheaper?!? It is your first Gold! Get something worthy of it!” Another agreed and wrote, “Alto? Are you serious? Shame on you!” Another said, “This is definitely an insult for him.” “It’s a very cheap and insulting gift for a Gold winning Athlete like him…How can you be so happy about it?” added a user.
His father-in-law, however, has announced a still weirder gift for him, a buffalo. Muhammad Nawaz, Nadeem’s father-in-law, says gifting a buffalo is considered “very valuable” and “honourable” in their village and goes well with the rural upbringing and tradition. “Nadeem also takes great pride in his roots and despite the success, his home still remains in his village and he still lives with his parents and brothers,” Nawaz said.
Nawaz, who has four sons and three daughters, says his youngest daughter Ayesha is married to Nadeem. Nadeem relied on fellow villagers and relatives donating money so that he could travel to different cities for training and competing abroad during his early days.
Nawaz also said when he decided to marry his daughter to Nadeem, he was a man of limited means but had the hunger to do well in sports for which he used to train in village fields. “When we decided to marry our daughter to Nadeem six years back, at that time he used to do small jobs and run errands but was extremely passionate about his sport and constantly practised throwing the javelin at home and in the fields,” said Nawaz.
Nawaz added that he was very happy with Nadeem’s success and fame, adding that the javelin thrower, who became the first individual medallist from the country, was very respectful towards everyone. “Whenever he comes to our house he never complains about anything and eats whatever is there at our home,” he said. “Two of his children have started going to the local primary school in the village while one son is still very young.”
(Manas Dasgupta)
