Various celebrities including Ushna Shah , Shehryar Munawar, Adnan Siddiqui and Shaniera Akram have spoken out against the conduct of the owners of Cannoli Cafe for making fun of their manager for his inability to speak English in a recent viral video. In the video, the two owners ask the restaurant Manager Awais, if he could speak a sentence in English for all those who are watching on camera. As Awais, who appears to be embarrassed and nervous, struggles with the English language the owners break out into a fit of laughter.
Ushna Shah expressing her distaste over making a mockery out of someone’s inability to speak a foreign language, tweeted in an anecdotal manner: “I know many well-educated illiterates. In fact, I barely made the mark.”
When I shifted to Pakistan & was learning to read Urdu for scripts, a wise lady pointed out: “If you live in Pakistan & can not read and write it’s national language, you are technically illiterate.”
I know many well-educated illiterates. In fact, I barely made the mark. #urdu— Ushna Shah (@ushnashah) January 21, 2021
Meanwhile, Shehryar Munawar also called out the behavior of the owners, writing: “Seems like an exaggerated scene out of a 90’s movie, where the mean rich kids pick on the protagonist, making fun of his humble background. Shame.”
Similarly, Adnan Siddiqui posted a long note on his Instagram account where he said he “wish[es] someone had taught them basic courtesy, manners and most of all respect…The joke’s on them because they just exposed their class, rather lack of it,” said the actor.
Meanwhile, social worker Shaniera Akram also tweeted against the incident talking about the challenges that come with having to speak another language.
I know what it’s like being put on the spot to speak another language, even if you know how to speak it, especially if you’re a shy person it’s hard to do when it’s forced, not to mention in front of a camera for someone’s own personal entertainment. Sad to see https://t.co/86jbMBzvcF
— Shaniera Akram (@iamShaniera) January 20, 2021
Like these celebs, we too hope that people soon break out of this English language complex and learn to respect others irrespective of their financial class!
