Jannat Mirza, Pakistan’s most-followed TikToker and a prominent social media influencer, has found herself under intense public scrutiny once again—this time for how she’s portraying her Hajj journey online.
The controversy began when Jannat shared a series of glamorous photos and videos with her family ahead of their departure for the pilgrimage. While many fans sent her heartfelt wishes, others criticized her for allegedly turning a deeply spiritual experience into a social media showcase.
The debate escalated after she uploaded a video showing what appeared to be an empty airplane cabin, captioned: “We had the whole plane to ourselves.” The clip included a brief tour of the aircraft, prompting widespread speculation that the family had chartered a private flight for the trip. However, Jannat later clarified that they were flying with Saudi Airlines, and that she had only seen such an empty plane once before, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite her explanation, the backlash intensified. Social media users pointed out that business-class passengers are usually boarded earlier than economy passengers, which could explain the empty seats. Others speculated that her father might have arranged exclusive seating to ensure privacy for the family, considering their fame and online visibility.
Critics didn’t hold back. “Is this Hajj or a luxury vacation?” one user questioned. Another commented, “If they had that much money, they should’ve helped underprivileged pilgrims.” There were also remarks questioning the family’s source of wealth, with one user stating, “Must be TikTok money.” Others invoked religious sentiments, praying that “Allah guides them towards humility.”
Since the incident, Jannat Mirza has remained silent, choosing not to respond to the ongoing criticism. Nonetheless, the situation has once again sparked debate about influencer culture and religious expression—specifically, how social media personalities should portray spiritual journeys like Hajj with modesty and sincerity rather than indulgence and spectacle.
