In a recent appearance on The Morning Show, famous actors Behroze Sabzwari and Javed Sheikh spoke candidly about the divorce between Behroze's son Shahroz Sabzwari and his ex-wife Syra Yousuf, giving a fresh perspective on co-parenting and maintaining family relationships after divorce.
The interview began when Behroze was asked to throw in his two cents about love marriage. He answered: “If your children are wise and care about their family and their reputation, let them make their own decisions.” The actor said, “Please understand that all of this happened due to an arranged marriage. Love marriages often last only six months.”
Love or arranged marriage
“We have never policed the children. Shahroz said he wanted to get married 15 days ago and we said bismillah. A wedding took place,” Behroze revealed. The veteran star recalled Shahroz and Syra's seven-year marriage and the end of a union that began when they were classmates. “The two studied together for six years. For seven years the two of them tried to make it work and I still call Shira my daughter, but they were both incompatible. So, no problem,” Behroze said with understanding and acceptance.
Despite public scrutiny and trolling over their high-profile divorce, Behroze and his wife Safina have remained resilient and decided to focus on their family's well-being. “People were trolling a lot and there were a lot of comments. I said, ‘Let them say whatever they want.’ Safina and I were grateful for their patience throughout our ordeal,” Behroze said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure amid social pressure.
Although the end of a marriage is often perceived as a traumatic event, the couple found solace in Shahroz's new chapter, while Behroze expressed his admiration for his second daughter-in-law, model Sadaf Kanwal. She said, “Now she has a second daughter-in-law and I am speechless. “She is truly amazing,” he said, emphasizing the potential for growth and happiness even after this major change in her life.
that much Thanh Hai Yan The actor was proud of his family's close relationship despite their divorce. “Our first granddaughter, Nooreh, is our life. Our second granddaughter, Zahra, was born on the 10th of Muharram. She is a great blessing from God,” beamed Behroze.
set an example
Javed, who appeared as a guest next to Beroje, emphasized how rare it is to see an ex-couple going about raising their children in good spirits. “Often when a woman leaves [after a divorce], She no longer wants to meet her in-laws. There's the daughter's problem, and there's the problem of when she wants to meet her father. Whether the mother approves it or not, there are many problems in such a situation. but [Syra and Shehroze’s] “This incident deserves attention from both sides,” he praised.
that much Om Shanti Om The actor praised Syra and Shahroz's approach to co-parenting, giving them a rare glimpse into the dynamics of maintaining family bonds even after divorce. “Hats off to Syra and Sadaf… I recently came across a photo of Syra with her daughter on Umrah. When they returned, Behroze picked them up at the airport even though they were no longer in an official relationship… But their connection is very strong,” he said, applauding the maturity and compassion shown by all parties involved.
Behroze detailed the close bond between Syra and her daughters Nooreh and Zahra from Shahroz's second marriage. “The first thing I did when I got to the airport was to take Zahra in my arms. Zahra is very attached to Sira, and the two spend hours together. She, like Nooreh, calls Syra 'Mimi'. Credit goes to Sadaf here too. “She has never once gotten into a ‘your daughter, my daughter’ argument,” he said, emphasizing the unwavering love and co-parenting dynamic shared between mothers and their children, regardless of their marital status.
The interview also touched on the sensitive topic of forced marriage, a widespread problem often shrouded in silence. Javed emphasized the importance of consent in Islamic teachings, challenging social norms that prioritize family expectations over individual choices. He said, “Marriage should not be forced. Parents often decide that they have a boy and tell their daughter that you will marry Abdul Qadir. She asks who Abdul Qadir is and her parents say 'Shut up!' “This is all wrong,” he expressed his opinion in a humorous way, and his words carried weight in a society where arranged marriages are still the norm.
Javed said, “Even in Islam, there is a need to question the girl’s will. A woman's consent is essential, but our people have omitted this part from their understanding of religion… Ultimately, women and men must live together. They understand much better.”
For those who are not savvy
In March 2020, Syrah and Shahroz announced the end of their marriage due to “irreconcilable differences.” The estranged couple posted short but poignant posts on their respective Instagram accounts, expressing their hopes for the future, their devotion to their daughter, and the expectations of the press and public during this difficult time.
The same note said: “Due to irreconcilable differences, today we decided to end our marriage. During this difficult time for each of us, our only hope is that we can both continue to be the best parents we can be to our daughters. We therefore ask both the media and the public to respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
Syra and Shahroz, who married in 2012, share a daughter named Nooreh, and as stated in their note, their main concern is ensuring her daughter's well-being during this transition. The announcement comes after months of speculation surrounding the couple's marital status, with rumors of their separation surfacing in December 2019.
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