‘Couldn’t ask them to leave’: Kerala expats say Afridi, Gul gatecrashed Dubai cultural event

Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi visit cultural event. (IMAGE: X)

A recent cultural event organized by the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) in Dubai took an unexpected turn when former Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul made an unanticipated appearance.

The event, intended to celebrate Kerala's rich cultural heritage, was disrupted as the cricketers' presence overshadowed the proceedings.

Organizers expressed surprise and concern over the unplanned visit. "We were caught off guard," said a KMCC representative and and felt they "couldn’t ask them to leave.".

"Their arrival wasn't coordinated with us, and it shifted the focus away from our cultural agenda," they said.

The cricketers arrived at the Ormachuvadukal Season 2, an inter-collegiate dance competition hosted by CUBAA at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) on May 25. The association stated that their presence was "unsolicited" and occurred just as the event was concluding.

Afridi’s recent appearance has sparked backlash online, particularly because it follows his disparaging comments about India after the Pahalgam terror attack. He has a history of criticizing India and making politically charged statements, especially regarding Kashmir.

CUBAA has clarified that the event was purely cultural and did not intend any political undertones. In a statement, the organizers said, "We would like to formally address recent concerns. These cricketers made an unannounced and unsolicited appearance at our event."

“Given the surprise nature of their visit, we were unable to restrict their access or manage the crowd response appropriately in that short span of time. We regret any confusion or inconvenience caused to attendees, participants, or supporters due to this unplanned development. We deeply regret any hurt or offense our actions may have caused. It was never our intention, and we sincerely apologize to those affected," the group further added.

The KMCC has since reviewed its event protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future, aiming to balance the enthusiasm of attendees with the organization's cultural objectives.