Fans react as former One Direction star Zayn Malik says he no longer considers himself Muslim: 'So disappointed'
Zayn Malik’s revelation this week that he no longer considers himself a Muslim did not go unnoticed.
His quotes about religion were tucked into a British Vogue interview in which he maybe, kinda confirmed the rumors that Taylor Swift has avoided the paparazzi by hiding in a suitcase, and he gushed about his romance with Gigi Hadid. But they were there, and they were different from what he’s said in the past.
“To be honest, I’ve never spoken publicly about what my religious beliefs are. I’m not professed to be a Muslim,” said Malik, 25, who was raised in the religion.
When asked if he would call himself a Muslim now, the Brit said, “No, I wouldn’t.”
“I believe whatever people’s religious beliefs are is between them and whoever or whatever they’re practicing,” he said. “For me, I have a spiritual belief of there is a god. Do I believe there’s a hell? No.”
Malik said even talking about faith “becomes a religious f***ing debacle of philosophers.”
“I just want to keep it between me and whatever I believe. I feel like that makes me move through life in a nice way. If I behave well, I will get treated well. That’s it,” the former One Direction star said. “I don’t believe you need to eat a certain meat that’s been prayed over a certain way, I don’t believe you need to read a prayer in a certain language five times a day. I don’t believe any of it. I just believe if you’re a good person everything is going to go right for you.”
Leaving his religion, Malik said, was “really easy” for him.
“With my mum and dad, they were always there to educate us — I did go to mosque, I did study Islam — but they gave us the option so you could choose for yourself,” he said.
Malik acknowledged that he’s happy to have built his life on the principles of Islam, and the interviewer noted that he spoke “softly and kindly” as they talked about the subject. Malik also said, “There’s definitely beautiful parts to every religion.”
As you can imagine, the comments sparked some backlash on social media.
Don’t get me wrong I love zayn but honestly I’m so disappointed and shocked. I’m sure Muslim stans will get my point . Muslim people can’t leave their religion it’s not allowed . he did the wrong thing . god will absolutely make a special circle of hell for him I’m so sad:((
— Heba_HS (@heba1_d) November 7, 2018
I really liked you when you were proud to be a muslim because you changed some people ideas about islam but know you are denying you religion and not believing in it ,that broke my heart even when you weren’t a good muslim I hope that you rethink about your decision ?
— 6💙 (@Sava63_) November 9, 2018
Zayn Malik doesn’t consider himself a Muslim.
Muslim twitter: https://t.co/NFUycqeh6A
— Priyanka’s wedding 💍 ? (@Shezaahmed17) November 7, 2018
I lost all interest in Zayn when he publicly started to distance himself from Islam. The reason why I got into One Direction in the first place was only because they had a Muslim. I thought it was so cool when he didn’t eat pork at X-Factor and they made chicken extra for him
— susi (@susi00) November 7, 2018
Wow that’s very honest of him. I think it’s so hard with religion. No matter what it is. Because everyone interprets differently, and there is always backlash, and you are always searching.
— Sarah Ayoub (@bysarahayoub) November 9, 2018
Am I surprised? No.
A person who smokes, drinks, dates parties, has every inch of his body filled with tattoos is probably not a Muslim.
And Ahem. “One Direction”
Sorry Zayn Malik you lost a fan.
And you’ve let fame to your head.
Ab bas. #ZaynMalik pic.twitter.com/CE9VJnT68c— Eshal 💫 (@Eshhayyyy) November 11, 2018
Zayn is just an ungrateful fool who obviously doesn’t realise how lucky he is to have what he does. I’m glad that he wrote this though as it shows he basically is not a Muslim. He mocks Islamic duties and beliefs and that’s good because he’s obviously not one of us!
— Ahmad Qadan (@FireDragonQ77) November 8, 2018
Y’all really Unstanning Zayn because he said he isn’t a Muslim anymore honestly y’all religion is personal and people need to accept. pic.twitter.com/C8eV5dRpEm
— Cleo (@guccixvans) November 7, 2018
But some fans remained loyal.
I love him no matter what 💕
And to me he's a muslim 💛 pic.twitter.com/15qahlpyjw
— Tianah (@eliz_tianah) November 16, 2018
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