Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
A LEBANESE-BORN porn star living in the US has stirred fierce debate back home after her rise to fame split social media users in liberal-yet-conservative Lebanon.
Mia Khalifa, 21, who was born in Lebanon but lives in Miami, last week became the most searched star on adult movie site Porn Hub, with more than 1.5 million views, prompting a mix of scorn and praise from Lebanese commenters.
“You are unworthy. You are only a sex object,” posted one Facebook user, alongside an image of the half-naked Khalifa.
“You don’t represent Lebanon!” another commenter said on Twitter, where the buxom brunette actress has attracted more than 78,000 followers.
Mixed reaction
Others lept to Khalifa’s defence, albeit with reservations.
“Mia Khalifa hasn’t harmed anyone. It’s her body,” said a post on the Lebanese blog Philaz. But “we are also free to say that what she is doing isn’t ‘liberalism’ but an attack on freedom.”
“You have to admire Mia Khalifa for her audacity,” stand up comedian Nemr Abou Nassar said.
Although renowned for its nightlife, smouldering female pop stars and legal alcohol consumption unlike most other Arab states, parts of Lebanese society remain deeply conservative.
Last year, Lebanese Olympic skier Jackie Chamoun found herself at the centre of a scandal after a video emerged of her taking part in a topless photo shoot, shocking many but also sparking online expressions of support.
Several photos posted online of Khalifa appear to show the actress sporting a tattoo on her left arm of a verse from the Lebanese national anthem.
“Lebanon has always been a pioneer among Arab countries,” a commentator said.
Local coverage
In a country more used to bad news, including a deteriorating security situation due to the conflict in neighbouring Syria, viewers were greeted with images of Khalifa on national television bulletins.
“Mia Khalifa is the first Lebanese who publicly boasts of practising such a profession,” said local news station Al-Jadeed.
Lebanon has struggled to deal with a mass influx of refugees from the war in Syria and 25 of its soldiers and police are being held captive by jihadists.
Several commentators even chose to play on the names of Khalifa (caliph in Arabic) and self-proclaimed caliph of the Islamic State jihadist group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
“Who do you prefer as caliph? Mia or Al-Baghdadi? I prefer Mia Khalifa!” said one Lebanese Twitter user.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Will it have it’s own version of Porn Hub on it.
Would give a new meaning to a facial.
Can’t have the natives going all “Libyan”.
Here’s a glimpse at what the west are more than likely going to destroy!
nice montage..any pictures of smiling innocent Israeli children to balance it..you know the ones who regularly have to have their classes in bomb shelters because of Hamas rockets..Hamas being funded by Iran..
I’m sure I could find a video of a few displaced and persecuted palistinians to unbalance it even more. Or maybe more than a few children from Libya who are unable to smile because they have been killed by NATO bombs!
the only people to blame for the contunued suffering of the palestinians are Hamas..recognise state of Israel..renounce violence and their aim to destroy Israel and there will be peace…palestinian leaders have form in this regard..offered palestinian state by Nevile Chamberlain in return for sypport against Nazi Germany..Grand Mufti of Jerusalem chose to side with Hitler..tying up much needed troops…UN in 1947 decided on 2 state silution with Jerusalem aa open city..palestinians rejected same…oh and havent Jordan Syrua Egypt and Lebanon been so good to the Palestinians…your blinkered viewpoint does you no good Dec..
And you really believe that Israel is an open city? Of course you do! Truth of the matter here is that thousands of innocent Iranians are more than likely going to die and very soon by the looks of it to keep us safe from the so called “evil Islamists” when it’s really to do with keeping the oil flowing and Americans keeping their grip on the region! I know that the palestinians sought help from nazi Germany to solve the “Jewish problem” what happened then was disgusting! What the west are doing is almost as bad! installing democracies with bombs and the killing of innocents is wrong!!! End of!
israel is a fully functioning democracy..with attendant problems of coalition govt. she is committed to two state solution but any settlement must gaurantee her security. fatah under arafat were ready to deal with barak..but hardliners insisted on east jerusalem opening door for the war criminal sharon to take power in israel. netanyahu will deal but it must be on basis of security for israel..can you not grasp that..just as consent was paramount to irish peace process. hamas dont care for innocents..apart from attacking only civilian targets in israel..they do so from behind human shields in gaza..knowing those innocents are placed in peril because of their actions. where is your proof USA and others want war with iran..its unlikely to happen…dorsnt suit US they just got troops home from.iraq ffs…get real
You’re obviously someone who thinks it’s acceptable to bomb innocent people once it’s not people from a democratised nation? Or more to the point a non Islamic nation!
no i dont but you appear willing to ignore terrorist atrocities..suicide bombings of cafes busses almost daily rocket attacks..but in your warped bigoted view thats ok coz its tha nasty israelis thats being attacked…grow up
You really believe that don’t you? I love to hear of innocent people getting killed needlessly!! FFS! If you read what I had previously had wrote you would have see that I am against INNOCENT people being killed needlessly! I don’t care if you are a Jew, Arab, or from bloody Mars ! This is the point I am trying to make! Libya is still in an awful state, killings happening every day but it’s ok because the west have control of the country! Open your eyes!
I suppose you agree with the suicide bombers in Syria? Or do you agree with the Syrian authorities cracking down on the “Protesters”?
human nature will never allow humans to live in perpetual peace..greed power..thos reasons for conflict are as old as humanity. the first casualty of war is truth and since the expansion of the battlefield tge second is innocent civilians. whats your answer if attacked just say stop…ask your attacker to think of the consequnces…life is not fair..i hate and abhor needless deaths both of civilians and military personnel. if you ever wore a uniform or knew soldiers youd know that those that hate war most are those called upon to fight it. as for assad and syria…those alleged al qeeda suicide bombers are widely believed to be the work of the syriab securiy forces…interesting that they coincide with arab league monitors. i abhor assad and all he stands for and i have been consistent on this site..amazing that the israel haters are also consistently QUIET on this topic
That’s what we are being told… But is it really true? I find it hard to believe! Either way, the region is screwed and I’ll be very surprised if iran isn’t hit massively by NATO, the US and iIraeli armies by the end of the year! I hope I’m wrong!
yet some contributors on here castigate me for saying Iran is nothing more than a theocratic dictatorship behind a mask of democracy…more proof here…dangerous administration
Ir@n
From Iran’s point of view it is logical, as free speech is always ,counterproductive to tyrannical regiemes. The internet is an enemy of every tyrant.
It’s a sad state if affairs if you cannott voice your opinion.
Sounds like they are going the way of North Korea to some extent.
Complete better control of all media by every possible outlet!
The Iranian gov. really need to stop giving the US popaganda material
Control freaks terrified of reality.
have your say