Zayn Malik and the Pervasive Racism He Faces

Words by Umara Kausar

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This is a rare vintage poster for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's 1994 concert at London's most iconic venue, the Royal Albert Hall. The audience was slowly drawn in, first through the plush harmonium, beautifully played by Khan's brother, and then constant murmur of tabla and the hand claps of the group's chorus. The night started out with one of Khan's signature songs: "Allahoo" [God Is], which is a 'hamd,' or praise song, and the traditional way of opening a qawwali performance. He ended the concert with the iconic song, "Mast Qalandar." Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was just 48 when he died in August 1997. His music could never be constrained by borders, or stashed away in a drawer. His death sparked a global state of mourning. (Available now as print)

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Recommended Reads:

From the Shrine to Spotify: How has Qawwali changed?

The True Lives of South Asians in Regency England vs. the Bridgerton Fantasy

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Zayn Malik and the Pervasive Racism He Faces

We all know his music and we all love his voice, but there is so much more than what meets the ear when discussing Zayn Malik. His journey in the music industry is one of remarkable resilience in the face of adversity, but it’s also a story about racism, representation, and the strength to rise above stereotypes. From the moment he stepped into the spotlight as a member of One Direction, Zayn faced a unique set of challenges—ones that went far beyond the typical pressures of fame. As a young, Muslim, Pakistani man in an overwhelmingly white, western pop industry, Zayn’s path to success was not just about his talent, but about how he was treated and how he chose to navigate the many obstacles in his way.