ISLAMABAD: Once one of Pakistan’s most recognizable film and television stars, Noor Bukhari walked away from the entertainment industry in 2017 to embrace a life rooted in faith. After four marriages and years in the public eye, she says her decision to leave acting and adopt the hijab was not a retreat but a rebirth.
“I wasn’t asked or forced to transform into a new Noor — it just happened,” she told The Express Tribune. “I was broken and turned to religion for peace, and that’s where I finally found it.”
A Turn Toward Faith
Noor says the decision to change her life came after deep personal pain. Following her fourth divorce, she found herself emotionally drained and disillusioned. “I met a female murshid (spiritual guide) who helped me reconnect with my faith,” she said. “I began praying and found comfort in the Quran. Gradually, the desire for fame faded, and I felt at peace.”
She began covering her head during Ramadan and never took the scarf off again. “Nobody forced me — it came from my heart. I realized I didn’t want to chase glamour anymore,” Noor said. “Since then, I feel lighter, happier, and at peace.”
The former actress, who began her career as a child star and appeared in numerous films and dramas, said she now spends her days studying the Quran, hosting occasional morning shows, and spending time with her daughter.
A New Purpose
Noor views her departure from showbiz as a moral and spiritual necessity. “Acting requires pretending to be someone else, which goes against the truth Islam teaches,” she explained. “How can I keep doing something that contradicts my beliefs?”
She encourages others, especially women, to find dignity in modesty and self-respect. “I want women to understand that hijab is a shield, not a restriction,” she said. “It preserves our honour and connects us to something much deeper than appearances.”
As for her daughter, Noor is firm: “I won’t let her join showbiz. I want her to know Islam and live by its teachings. My biggest wish is to be a role model for her.”
Now living a quieter life, Noor says she has no regrets. “By the grace of Allah, I’m finally at peace,” she said. “I’ve found the true meaning of happiness — and it’s in faith, not fame.”
