Gap Slams Racist Graffiti After Ad Featuring Sikh Jewelry Designer Waris Ahluwalia Is Vandalized With Anti-Muslim Slurs

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Gap slams racist graffiti after ad featuring Sikh jewelry designer Waris Ahluwalia is vandalized with anti-Muslim slurs

By MISTY WHITE SIDELL

PUBLISHED: 09:24 EST, 26 November 2013 | UPDATED: 10:01 EST, 26 November 2013

GAP has been forced to defend its holiday campaign after anti-Muslim graffiti appeared scribbled on one of its advertisements posted in New York City’s subway system.

The subject of the racist graffiti is Waris Ahluwalia- a jewelry designer and actor who is Sikh, not Muslim.

For GAP’s holiday campaign – the theme of which is ‘make love’ – Ahluwalia, 39, poses with model and filmmaker Quentin Jones. But where the advertisement reads ‘make love’, one unknown New York vandal has crossed out ‘love’ and written in ‘bombs!’ below.

Islamaphobia: Anti-Muslim graffiti was found blanketing a GAP ad featuring the Sikh jewelry designer and actor Waris Ahluwalia on a New York City subway platform

The original: GAP's 'Make Love' campaign features Ahluwalia alongside filmmaker and model Quentin Jones

The graffiti also includes a line that reads, ‘Stop driving taxis!’

The vandalized ad was originally found and captured by New York photographer Robert Gerhardt on the downtown platform of the Buhre Avenue 6 train stop in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx.

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Gerhardt forwarded the images to Muslim journalist and commentator Arsalan Iftikhar who quickly shared it with his near-40,000 cumulative followers on Twitter and Facebook.

Iftikhar told MailOnline that the photo made him want ‘the world to see how brown people are viewed in America today.’

Gerhardt's image received a wave of responses, many of which expressed outrage over the graffiti.

‘[This] makes me very very sad. The world is becoming more hateful,’ responded one Twitter follower. ‘Sadly typical,’ replied another.

Iftikhar’s multiple Twitter dispatches were also re-tweeted by influential Muslim author and commentator Reza Aslan to more than 54,000 of Aslan’s own followers – helping draw more attention to the misinformed graffiti.

Signature style: Ahluwalia has been named to multiple best dressed lists for his signature look which includes a black turban, long beard, and fitted suit

Gap even responded to Iftikhar’s tweets to inquire where the graffiti was located.

Representatives for the brand tell MailOnline that they are now ‘working to replace the image [in the Bronx].’

They also issued a statement that says: ‘Gap is a brand that celebrates inclusion and diversity. Our customers and employees are of many different ethnicities, faiths, and lifestyles and we support them all.’

When Gap’s ‘Make Love’ holiday campaign debuted earlier this month, the brand received an outpouring of positive responses on its Facebook page from members of the Sikh community.

Iftikhar feels that ‘This whole story just proves that we do not live in a post-racial America yet when South Asians and those perceived to be Muslims cannot even grace fashion advertisements without racial epithets being directed their way.’

Film actor: In addition to his jewelry line House of Waris, Ahluwalia is also an actor and has appeared in multiple films directed by his friend Wes Anderson, including The Darjeeling Limited (above), in which he was featured alongside Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman

Ahluwalia is a well-known face in fashion circles. He designs the celestial jewelry label House of Waris, which earned him a prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund nomination in 2009, as well as an official membership with the CFDA.

Most ironically, in this case, designer has been named on multiple best-dressed lists by the likes of Vanity Fair and British GQ for his original style which typically takes on the uniform of a black turban, a long beard, and an impeccably-fitted suit.

Ahluwalia is also a muse for the film director Wes Anderson, who has cast him in movies including The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and The Darjeeling Limited.

He is just one of the subjects in GAP’s ‘Make Love’ holiday campaign, which also stars Cyndi Lauper, and Tony Bennet.

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[S4NGH]

Thank You GAP:

https://www.facebook.com/ThankYouGap

The next day, Gap tweeted back at Iftikhar to find out the location of the ad, which is part of its holiday "#MakeLove" campaign featuring a wide variety of diverse models.

But that wasn't all. The company proceeded to change its Twitter background to the picture of Ahluwalia, to show solidarity and support.

Their response was applauded by Sikhs and Muslims alike, as Iftikhar shared their incredible and speedy response.

Some members of the Sikh community have started a "Thank you, Gap" campaign in order to show their appreciation for the inclusion of a Sikh model. A letter to the company says, "By placing a Sikh model in prominent locations on billboards, direct mail advertising and digital channels, you have raised the profile of Sikhs in ways the community couldn’t have accomplished with its limited resources. The community has tremendously benefitted from the attention it has received through Gap’s marketing campaign."

[HeatSikhingMissile]

Just waiting for the angry frustrated "Singh" to post about how "he shouldn't be modelling and is doing beadbi by having such a big ego and being into fashion blah blah blah", because knowing this board, sadly, it's only a matter of time.

Good on Gap.

[sukhi077]

I would not lie but I have personally felt this thing that white women are pretty attracted to sikh guys...so the gap can have any other sales promotion agenda too by choosing ahluwalia as model for its outfits......

[MokhamSingh]

There was a time in England when hotels etc., would have a sign saying "NO DOGS, NO INDIANS". Even in the 1980's some bars, in my hometown had a sign saying "NO INDIANS".

The following song is dedicated to Waris and all other Indians, Sardars, and other individuals who have reached heights, despite being held back..

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H51buhP-rOs

Waheguru...

[JasSinghKhalsa]

There was a time in England when hotels etc., would have a sign saying "NO DOGS, NO INDIANS". Even in the 1980's some bars, in my hometown had a sign saying "NO INDIANS".

What if this ad would have also been advertised in the UK today? What reaction will we have British Gore people?

[MokhamSingh]

What if this ad would have also been advertised in the UK today? What reaction will we have British Gore people?

Judge Stephen Tumin, in 1990's commissioned an inquiry, following the death of Stephen Lawrence; murdered by racists, stated that Britain is " institutionally racist". Since the report, many improvements have been made to eradicate racism from Britains institutions.

Indians/Sardars, now hold high ranking posts in Government, the Armed Forces, the media, and in successful businesses. Our community has reached new heights, despite the overwhelming disadvantages.

There exists, in Britain, a small minority of white supremacists, who look down on non-whites, but the attitudes of the majority of goreh have changed, since they realised the achievements of Indians/ Sardars. Many Sardars/Indians have gone on to marrying into high class goreh families. The British Government has praised the India community, particularly the Sikhs, for their contributions to the economy and society, through the principles of seva, and community spirit.

There are elements, in Britain, who like to spread phobia about non- whites; particularly associating Dastar/ beard with Islamic militancy. Generally speaking, Indians/Sardars in Britain, have integrated well, and their efforts have been acknowledged.

Waris has taken the step to highlight the Sardar saroop, on an international platform. Personally, I feel very proud of Waris...

Waheguru...

Waheguru....

[jaspreet1]

Just waiting for the angry frustrated "Singh" to post about how "he shouldn't be modelling and is doing beadbi by having such a big ego and being into fashion blah blah blah", because knowing this board, sadly, it's only a matter of time.

Good on Gap.

You must have a very boring life for sitting around and waiting for critics to assess the picture. Try to get out more and sit in Sikh sangat to learn some virtues.

Obviously GAP will come out against the graffiti. They don't want their property becoming a racist platform and to be damaged. Read more intellectual books.

[HeatSikhingMissile]

You must have a very boring life for sitting around and waiting for critics to assess the picture. Try to get out more and sit in Sikh sangat to learn some virtues.

Obviously GAP will come out against the graffiti. They don't want their property becoming a racist platform and to be damaged. Read more intellectual books.

LOL, oh, I wasn't sitting around waiting, but knew it was coming....and alas...

http://www.indiawest.com/news/15419-gap-ad-campaign-highly-sexualized--says-sikh-activist.html

GAP Ad Campaign 'Highly Sexualized', Says Sikh Activist

A Sikh activist is organizing a Dec. 5 rally in front of the GAP Store in Davis, Calif., to protest a new ad featuring jeweler Waris Ahluwalia and Quentin Jones that he believes is disrespectful to the Sikh community.

GAP’s holiday season print ad campaign, “Make Love,” which is focused on giving and sharing love, according to a statement by the retail clothing giant, features several icons, including singers Harry Belafonte, Tony Bennett and glam-queen Cyndi Lauper. Ahluwalia – of The House of Waris – and Jones are featured in one of the print ads, with the turbaned and bearded Indian American focused at the camera, as a waspy, bed-headed Jones has a hand on his dastaar and another on his open-necked shirt, which sprouts a bit of chest hair.

Read more at http://www.indiawest.com/news/15419-gap-ad-campaign-highly-sexualized--says-sikh-activist.html#eW4E2iitOCI1UC7x.99

[jaspreet1]

LOL, oh, I wasn't sitting around waiting, but knew it was coming....and alas...

http://www.indiawest.com/news/15419-gap-ad-campaign-highly-sexualized--says-sikh-activist.html

GAP Ad Campaign 'Highly Sexualized', Says Sikh Activist

A Sikh activist is organizing a Dec. 5 rally in front of the GAP Store in Davis, Calif., to protest a new ad featuring jeweler Waris Ahluwalia and Quentin Jones that he believes is disrespectful to the Sikh community.

GAP’s holiday season print ad campaign, “Make Love,” which is focused on giving and sharing love, according to a statement by the retail clothing giant, features several icons, including singers Harry Belafonte, Tony Bennett and glam-queen Cyndi Lauper. Ahluwalia – of The House of Waris – and Jones are featured in one of the print ads, with the turbaned and bearded Indian American focused at the camera, as a waspy, bed-headed Jones has a hand on his dastaar and another on his open-necked shirt, which sprouts a bit of chest hair.

Read more at http://www.indiawest.com/news/15419-gap-ad-campaign-highly-sexualized--says-sikh-activist.html#eW4E2iitOCI1UC7x.99

In my eyes you are a secular fanatic who does not know when to draw the line. But I don't go around making fun of you. Your previous post says a lot about you. It shows your are very insecure and need to beat others down to feel good inside.