Senior Pakistani TV announcer, host, and actor Tauqeer Haider has responded to social media criticism over his tattoos during his recent Umrah pilgrimage, calling the experience “spiritually fulfilling” and sharing details of his journey.
Haider, a well-known face on Pakistan Television since the early 1990s, initially gained fame through live morning shows and later ventured into acting, starting his career alongside Atiqa Odho in a Turkish drama series.
Haider faced online backlash when he shared a video of his Umrah trip in which his tattoos were visible. Responding in a recent podcast, he said, “People behind keyboards feel entitled to comment on everything because they know you can’t reply. I performed Umrah two months ago—it was a wonderful and spiritual experience, and I enjoyed it fully. If Allah were displeased with me over my tattoos, He wouldn’t have allowed me to visit His house. I ignored the criticism.”
Haider added that his manager suggested deleting the video to avoid controversy, but he refused, emphasizing that many also supported him.
Reflecting on his Umrah journey, he revealed it was his first pilgrimage, a plan he had made over the past ten years but couldn’t undertake earlier. “No matter how much you plan, you can only go when Allah wills. I truly believe that now,” he said.
He described reaching Masjid al-Haram at 1 a.m. despite heavy crowds, completing all rituals, and capturing the experience on video. “Previously, I would laugh at people saying that once you see the Kaaba, you long to return. Now, I understand exactly what they mean,” Haider said.