With the arrival of the sacred month, Ramadan, where the Muslims rush to seek forgiveness and blessing of the Creator, there at another side, the businessmen plan to earn and get more profit in the month, however, exceptional cases may exist.
When there was only Pakistan Television (PTV), the Ramadan transmission were quite decent and reasonable. Moreover, no competition of rating existed. However, now TV channels are on a race to get more views and shamefully more money.
In this race, the ethics and social norms have been violated badly.
The transmissions which could have been used as a source of information or knowledge, are now being used for entertainment and business.
In a short survey conducted on the topic, we found that maximum of public is unhappy and unsatisfied with the things happening on the name of Ramadan transmissions.
Are Ramadan transmissions these days, really for Ramadan?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Maybe
Out of 50 people, only 2 were confused, saying ‘Maybe’, 3 said ‘yes’ and all other said ‘no’.
A boy named Faizan Butt of media studies when was asked the same question; replied, “I really don’t bother my eyes to see these kind of shows.”
Maximum became sarcastic in their replies targeting ‘Amir Bhai’ and praising him for what he does.
Moreover, Maleeha Hashmey presented a different opinion saying, “Yes, very few of them actually are for Ramazan! For example; Dr. Khalid Zaheer’s Live Ramazan transmission on Aaj TV. Just gave you one! I’m not sure if Dr. Bilal Qutab is doing something this Ramazan or not, but his show is always a treat to watch. On ARY digital, Junaid Jamshed’s segment on Waza’aif is always a blessing.”
This is what just a little population says, what if we go out and ask the same question, I believe the answer would be a straight ‘NO’.
Distributing gifts in the people attending the show in person, could have been done in a mannerly way like it happens in Bazm -e- Tariq Aziz on PTV. Now, the biggest confusion is whether the transmission is a game show, stunt show, quiz show, entertainment show, fun show or really a religious show; though I doubt on the latter.
Well, my opinion may be rejected by many or else admired, but there are reasons; valid reason behind why they are not for Ramadan.
Starting with the people doing Ramadan show. Actors and models are hosting the religious show. Like, seriously?
Mr Dr Amir Liaquat Hussain doing Ramadan transmission on Geo TV, forgets why he is at the platform. “Aam khao gey?” is purely Amir’s dialogue which he said while forcefully putting mangoes in a person’s mouth. It happened when he had been doing a Ramadan show on Express (entertainment) TV, the time when Geo TV was officially banned. If you have missed that, here is the video and pictures:
Is it a Ramadan show? Think again.
Here is another video when he called the singer of ‘eye to eye’, Tahir Shah in his Ramadan show. I restate, he invited a singer in his Ramadan show. Here is the video of that:
Today, on 1st Ramadan 2016, he invited Mr Tahir Shah again, however, this time, Amir Liaquat is seen wearing angel dress as the singer wears that in his music video “Angel”.
Amir Liaquat has made a video recently wearing Pakistan Army uniform and has acted as a martyred (shaheed) and recitation of Aya’ah being played in the background.
If you think Mr Amir Liaquat is a scholar, then rethink what he really is. A comedian, an actor, a host or a scholar? If you remember his behind the scenes were leaked during his show on Geo TV. Watch another video of Amir Liaquat Hussain in a morning show of ARY News, hosted by Sanum Baloch.
The above video has only been shared to explain that he is not a scholar, but only a host may be.
If we get to talk about him only, we may have to ignore all other hosts of different transmissions, but, there is still much to talk about Mr Amir. Well, any other time, maybe.
Anyway, coming to the next host Ahsan Khan who was seen hosting Ramadan transmission on Hum TV earlier and now on PTV, is an actor and they can really act well. But the point is, why actors have taken the place of religious scholars? Are they equal?
Ahsan Khan in person is seen doing alot of social work which is really good and shows that he is a good person, but still the Ramadan shows should be hosted and conducted by the religious scholars and not actors, singers or models.
Just have a glance on Ahsan Khan, who is currently seen as a child abuser in a drama serial on Hum TV named Udaari.
Click to view slideshow.
Wearing Dupatta or Sherwani/Shalwar kameez one month does not make you a person to do Ramadan show. The people who are seen dancing, acting and singing whole year, come on TV in this month to talk about religion.
Talking about Ayesha Omar, glamor comes in mind before her face is called. Ayesha Omar along with Sami Khan, is hosting a show on Play TV for Ramadan however, can they talk on it?
Click to view slideshow.
Actor Sami Khan is also hosting a show on Play TV alongside Ayesha Omar. He is well known for his romantic roles in drama serials and short films.
Click to view slideshow.
Then comes the turn of Imran Abbas, well known actor, who is famous for his ‘good chemistry’ with co-stars, is also hosting a Ramadan transmission on See TV. If you have not seen its promo, then you must.
Fahad Mustafa, who has worked in few movies also and a huge number of dramas, now does the game show after Ramadan transmission on ARY digital and in the promotional press release of ARY Digital for Ramadan, Fahad Mustafa’s picture along with Waseem Badami and Junaid Jamshed has been shared too.
Click to view slideshow.
While talking about Maya Khan, I must recall that her program on ARY News used to be full of planted and fake agendas that were set by her. She was caught once and she confessed in a live show that those programs on ‘Dating couples’ were all fake from which she got fame.
Now a days, Maya Khan was doing a game show on APlus and these days doing Ramdan show. OKAY!
Well, besides this, Ayesha Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Juggan Kazmi, Nauman Ijaz and Farah Hussain are seen hosting Ramadan transmissions.
Talking about Farah Hussain, I do not have that contrary statement for her as she usually in her daily program is seen talking about religion and has proper manners to talk about religion however, I really can not say anything about others.
Juggan is seen shouting in the show in excitement while giving away gift hampers. Nauman Ijaz is seen polite and humble in the show but again, they are all actors, models but not for Ramadan transmission.
So this is the situation of Pakistan’s TV channels these days, that in the race of rating and profits, they have forgotten their ethical and moral values. They do not know who is responsible for what.
I hope no offense would be taken on my opinion and you will think what is right and what is wrong. I am not against them doing such programs, but, as a Muslim, I have my responsibility to pinpoint where something is going wrong. I have not named Dr Bilal Qutab or Junaid Jamshed, because they are same in Ramadan as they are throughout the year. They do not have to change their looks and lifestyles.
Think about it!
Have a blessed Ramadan!
[This is a person’s opinion and does not necessarily exhibit Baaghi.TV’s policies.]