IQRA University faces severe backlash over its bold fashion show

ISLAMABAD: Iqra University one of the most famous universities in federal capital is currently under fire for too audacious- and bold attire choices for the Iqra University Fashion Odyssey 2024.

The fashion show was organized with the collaboration of the Asian Institute of Fashion Design (AIFD). The event showcased a range of stunning yet bold outfits put on by brilliant young designers from Iqra University, with top models strutting down the runway along with celebrities in attendance.

Yet a video circulating rapidly on social media, showing designers boosting bold Western outfits on models, sparked outrage among many social media users, who expressed their discontent, that “the name of the university-Iqra-is inappropriate for such audacious and revealing dresses.” Some have even gone so far as to call it a university promoting vulgarity disguised as creativity.

According to critics, the name of the university-“Iqra”-is of gigantic cultural and religious importance, being the first word that was revealed by Allah.

Fashion show is deemed to be of completely detached nature from the vital moralities and principles attached to the name. Many feared that the current youth adopts Western fashion and culture while undermining their heritage.

Critics would charge that it lacked panache and creativity since some designers rail against wearing Western styles of dress and put nothing of their own into it.

Controversy has arisen from the fashionable theme showering the spotlight on an ongoing tussle between the prevailing and the old school of thought on whether fashion really penetrates into Pakistani culture and if institutions of higher learning should promote values and principles in accordance with the rich traditions of the country.