Ramazan transmission : Entertainment vs serious programmes
LAHORE: Society’s concern regarding non-serious, so-called Islamic shows on television has reached its peak and as the holy month of Ramazan is about to end, producers and broadcasters of such programmes are exploiting the religion of Islam for merely entertainment purposes and to further their economic agenda.
This year’s Ramazan transmission has proved to be a saga for the television audience, which has been made somewhat serious during the last decade by electronic media news channels.
However, taking a complete U-turn some channels’ Ramazan programmes are being run in the fashion of entertainment-cum-Nelam Ghar (auction house) with repeated humiliations of some participants of the programmes, which is against the very basic spirit of the teachings of Islam.
Social media is full of criticism for such programmes. However, in order to improve ratings and economic interest, producers and channel owners are not ready to succumb to the audience’s pressure and sacrifice their economic interests.
The questions of social responsibility of mass media, Islamic responsibility and real issues of Pakistan linked to the religion remained mostly unaddressed on most of television channels. On the other hand, in compliance with the fourth state pillar’s role and while showing sense of social responsibility, Business Plus TV through its programme “Deen Aur Dunya” has followed the real spirit of Islam.
This is the reason that most of Islamic scholars and the serious audience have appreciated this highly knowledgeable programme.
During its 28 days transmission so far, “Deen Aur Dunya”, directed and hosted by Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Allama Tahir Ashrafi, has launched an awareness campaign in the form of a serious debate on issues facing society. Separate programmes were aired on a varied range of topics –interfaith dialogue, tolerance, patience, rights of others, women’s rights, children’s rights, jihad, terrorism and minority rights.
Ashrafi invited renowned scholars from all sects of Islam and took their expert opinion on various issues. Scholars from several sects, including Shia, Sunni, Barelvi, Ahle Hadith and Deoband, responded to public queries.
Ashrafi also conducted a special programme on centralisation of money in a few hands and the widening gap between the rich and poor. The programme particularly gained popularity among students of madrassas. Keeping in view popularity of this programme, the management has decided to continue it twice a week even after Eid. Media critics and audience have felicitated Ashrafi and his team for running this programme in line with true teachings of Islam.
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