LONDON – An Italian restaurant in Cambridge, United Kingdom, has been accused of racism and Islamophobia after allegedly refusing to serve famous Pakistani actress and philanthropist Nadia Jamil and her father.
Jamil who believes racism was the reason she was refused to eat in hotel Don Pascuale took to Twitter to share her ‘shocking’ experience with her fans and followers.
“1st racist encounter in England. #DonPascual Italian restaurant in Main Market Square refused 2 serve Aba & me & asked us 2 leave,” she wrote.
“His beard,” she added suggesting religious prejudice as the reason. “They refused to give us menus. I picked it up myself. Man says we will not serve you! Go in get self served! I asked why. Annoying people he answered.
https://twitter.com/NJLahori/status/899649739859279877
However, hours later, the Italian restaurant issued a statement, denying the allegations made by Nadia Jamil.
Replying to her tweet, the Twitter handle of the restaurant denied there was any directive from management to deny people entry based on their race.
It also completely rejected any claims of racism.
Don’t believe all you read on Twitter. We did not refuse service @NJLahori. We welcome all
— Pasquale Benedetto (@thedonpasquale) August 21, 2017
Persistent, Jamil replied to the hotel’s Twitter handle saying that more insult was added to their injury by snatching the menu and verbally thrashing them.
You refused to give us a menu 🙁 then you refused to serve us. Finally u snatched the menus out of our hands and told us to leave screamed.
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) August 21, 2017
What story do they have for refusing to give us menus & service then snatching menus. Acha why argue Yasser Putar. Go eat & enjoy. Rabrakha?
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) August 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/NJLahori/status/899710336923774977
Her tweets caused an outrage on social media where angry fans and activists called for the Italian restaurant to clarify the situation.
Many users including journalists and politicians were appalled and even expressed their reservations regarding the authenticity of the story:
Where? In London? JJ hardly has a beard!
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) August 21, 2017
It’s a teeny beard. They found our appearance annoying. He said is it my beard. Although it the cutest beard on Earth :)! pic.twitter.com/i9kiEsMHv0
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) August 21, 2017
What the hell
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) August 21, 2017
This is illegal there is a law against racism please report it to the ? police
— Fatma Shah (@fz_shah) August 21, 2017
Hard to believe because never heard & faced such problem in UK
Second: They don’t serve kosher ?— حسن (@Lahori_A1) August 21, 2017
Shocked. Report them! Hope they get prosecuted. This is illegal and totally not on
— Talat Aslam (@titojourno) August 21, 2017
No point to report they’re dealing with 250+ hate crime complaints,500+ goes unreported daily getting worse post BREXIT.
— Masood Javed (@MasoodJCh) August 21, 2017
What was the reason given to you and your father when asked to leave? Very rare for something like this to happen in a restaurant in the UK
— Farrah (@GuyyanMirza) August 21, 2017
@thedonpasquale I’ve eaten here and never had a problem, in UK there are often set times for lunch/dinner, is Pakistanis take ages ordering
— Yasser Hussain (@yasserthoughts) August 21, 2017
My friend Omar later told me this place is famous for this. Not all desist have the same experience Bhai. I will never forget the hurt
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) August 21, 2017
Ok,seems strange any place in the UK would do this as policy as they would quickly go out of business, sure this may not be the whole story
— Yasser Hussain (@yasserthoughts) August 21, 2017
No hidden agendas. Welcome to a world Yasser where old me. Can be screamed at, laughed at, menus snatched from their hands & told to leave.
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) August 21, 2017
It’s horrible. First time it’s ever happened to me. Vo bhi with Aba!
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) August 21, 2017
Shouldn’t complain as we Pakistanis are the most racist of all, we have classes, casts sects and God knows what to negate quran’s teaching
— Imran Ahmed (@ImranInc) August 21, 2017
I know of no Pakistani that would ask someone to leave an eatery
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) August 21, 2017
