One Direction’s Zayn Malik accused of `pimping Islam`

London: Boy band ‘One Direction’ star Zayn Malik has been accused of trying to convert young fans to Islam.

Right wing blogger Debbie Schlussel warned parents to “keep their daughters away” from the British band, currently on a sell-out US tour. In her blog, she accused the 19-year-old singer, who has a Pakistani father and an English mother of “pimping Islam” to children. The American claimed that Malik had posted tweets for fans about Ramadan and Allah. “He knows the power he has over these mindless girls and is using that influence to preach the Islamic faith. It’s dangerous,” the Sun quoted her as writing in her blog. She even blasted Zayn for wearing a keffiyeh -- a cotton scarf --, which she called “official garb of Islamic terrorism”. But American Muslim campaigner Zuhdi Jasser, who frequently warns of Islamic radicalisation, rejected her wild claims about Malik. “All the power to him to be respectful to his faith,” he added. ANI