Is it just me or has the Pakistani media gone completely insane?
At first, I was surprised, then faintly worried. After sometime, I really got angry. Now, I just watch in helplessness and resignation.
I change the channel. Again. And Again.
Pervez Musharraf, polishing Pakistan’s image abroad with such confused theories as ‘Enlightened Moderation’, has taken it upon himself to ruin our younger generation. Fine, let me not be as narrow-minded as to blame Musharraf alone. But then, I don’t want to waste time talking of the hidden motives and agendas. I’m more concerned with the effect of such ‘liberalistic’ policies.
Pakistani media, particularly TV, has seen a weird revolution over these past three to four years. I’m narrowing myself down to this time frame because that’s the period in which things blasted forward. Any low-level ‘modernizing’ effort being carried out suddenly got a power boost and the result is before us all today.
Through the ‘90s, the primary TV channel in Pakistan was state-run PTV (Pakistan Television Network) and some associated networks. Drama serials of 13 episodes ran from time to time with popular actors and actresses playing decent roles. The plots were intriguing and Pakistan was a great fan of those drama serials. Western movies telecasted on PTV were censored, and they had good content.
Come 2001 (*cough*September*cough*) and soon, Pakistani media was seeing a change, a revolution of sorts, now that I see what has become of it. There was the news that new private channels were to be launched. Of course, at that time, I was totally unaware of anything negative such channels might bring along.
To cut a long story short, Pakistan saw the launch of new channels between 2003 and 2005. First came Geo TV, launched at 12:00 am 14th August 2003. It came with the slogan of ‘live and let live’… with the word ‘Geo’ being taken in Urdu, meaning simply… ‘Live!’ You can, of course, derive a zillion meanings from that. Geo brought along a host of new dramas, programs and talk shows. Everything seemed fine enough. They put in one or two ‘Islamic’ shows too, to woo the Pakistani audience.
Over the past year, new channels… Hum, Aaj, Geo News, ARY Digital, The Muzik, ARY One World, Fashion TV Pakistan have flooded TV. To the Pakistani government and the general public (especially the middle and upper classes), this is true progress. This is what everyone was waiting for. This is what Pakistan needed. In two to three years, we’ve taken off our ‘madressah’ and ‘radical’ image and taken up the banner of ‘enlightened moderation’.
So what is this ‘enlightened moderation’? What was Pakistan waiting for?
Check any of the abovementioned channels for yourself and you’ll see ‘enlightened moderation’ being lauded and advertised magnificently. As usual, women’s issues top the list. What liberation our new vision has given the Pakistani woman! It’s okay for her to let go of anything Islamic because it’s the 21st century and who needs dupattas, scarves, sleeves and full trousers now? The men of today are civilized! Well, there goes everything! Patches of clothing started disappearing… the midriff, some around the legs, necklines took a dive… I hate writing this but that’s how things are.
Today, the modern Pakistani woman, liberated and free (not truly, even according to the Government’s criteria), can be seen walking the ramp with minimal fabric, or hosting a TV show in a Western style dress (no sleeves, knee length… etc.) or taking some ‘Survivor’ type challenge in the hills of the Himalayas. The same woman will also be found dancing to a medley with her relatives and friends at her sister’s wedding.
I’m not ignorant of the facts. Ever since Pakistan’s creation, there have been Muslim women who chose to wear un-Islamic dressing. Just look at various actresses and singers but then, these were very few and, almost always, elites.
Today, the average Pakistani woman is being depicted on TV with shrinking trousers and tops. Models are idolized and admired by the population such that people, steeped in an inferiority complex, have decided to imitate them in every sense. Go to any birthday party, or Eid dinner, or wedding reception… and you’ll see the average Pakistani woman transformed into a comparable copy of the models.
If you believe that, by and large, the modeling and acting profession is still considered shameful by people, then you’re right (though only barely, because women’s eyes spark up at glimpse of these models and actresses in malls and markets… easily impressed!). However, that might be the case for years but then where is the source of this degeneration?
It comes from a gradual brainwash, a continuous propaganda, an attempt to instill into our minds the glittering images of the ‘modern woman’ through seemingly harmless dramas and movies. What is most harmful is that these things are being carried forward in the name of Islam. A few days ago, a famous TV-actress, dressed in a sort of nightgown, sat interviewing her friend on Aaj TV. Both women continuously praised the ‘recent progress and development seen in the fashion industry’ while frequently saying ‘InshAllah’ and ‘Ma’shAllah’!
A singer of much repute, Najam Sheraz, ever since joining a modernistic-Islamic organization (Arrahman-arraheem.com), starts off his concerts with a Hamd or two. Later, his usual songs are blasted at full volume with un-Islamic lyrics. It isn’t surprising why so many media people have joined this organization… where else would their professions be legalized and recommended with such a big ‘Islamic’ stamp?
I wonder what the world is coming to? Examples I have got a million… consider the recent Lux Style Awards in Karachi, or the Sahara Sangeet Awards in San Francisco… you can see how Pakistan represents itself.
We’re letting go of anything that had remained even remotely Islamic. Enlightenment is the motto of the day and ‘moderation’ is our lifestyle. Come Ramadan and we’ll take flimsy dupattas on our heads and pray for more and more of everything. We might even try to recite the Quran… but an English translation is easier, and that is what ‘enlightened moderation’ means. A few fasts missed, but hey, we’re Muslims, Allah is forgiving! And what about the earthquake? Oh no, it wasn’t a reminder from Allah to right our ways! How could you be so backward as to say such a thing? Allah loves us, and He has given us an opportunity to add to our good deeds by servicing mankind. That is the only truth. That is ‘enlightened moderation’. And that is Islam… I think.
Monday, January 02, 2006
The New Pakistan: Part I
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8 comments:
It is amazing to know that you are not happy with the modernisation of Pakistani women. Though I agree with you that modernisation doesnt means vulgarity. It is common tendency of girls to imitate models. That happens everywhere.
This is the result of Pervez’s pseudo war against terror. He wants the west to support him in whatever he does… he needs arms from the west, hefty IMF loans but we are forgetting that everything comes with a price tag, the west will want to set up their businesses in Pakistan in return of their help to Pakistan. They will want to tune the Pakistani mind to boost their economy… u may call this modernization or westernization….
Assalamu'alaykum,
The enemies of Islam have known for a very long time that it is not enough to destroy Islam by causing physical harm to Muslims. During the lifetime of the Prophet, the Sahabah used to tell their enemies that death in the way of Allah was more beloved to them than wine or any pleasures of the world; automatically, the enemies realized they were fighting against a force they could not defeat, since they did not fear death; they feared nothing but Allah.
Eventually, the enemies of Islam caught on; instead of trying to attack the bodies of Muslims, they attacked their spirit. This war was not fought by weapons; rather, they implanted ideas in their society which contradicted the teachings of the beloved Prophet. They slowly brought back alcohol. They brought back music. They incited disagreement among Muslims, and brewed hatred. Eventually, the fabric of Islam was torn, and love of life took over. Love of life, and hatred of death. When this condition was prevalent, whatever strength the Muslims had was gone. And one after another, the Muslim world started disintegrating. Not because their numbers decreased, but because they had lost those values that lead them to the heights of spiritual enlightenment. All that was left was culture, legacy, and Muslim names.
This is what is happening in Pakistan. I'm reluctant to call it Westernization, because the West has it's merits along with it's flaws. What is happening is that the flaws of the West - depravity, materialism, hedonism - are gaining ground, while the strengths of Western culture are being left behind. So what is left is the worst of both worlds, and it becomes very difficult for Islam to remain in the hearts of people in such conditions.
Television is always one of the deadliest weapons in this war of values. You wouldn't let someone come into your home and lecture you about the benefits of tighter clothing and the great life you can have by shedding your Islamic values. But most of us have let a television into our homes, which tells us those exact things, and takes up so many hours of our lives in the process. They won't broadcast these messages to the whole population collectively, but they will inject these messages into every home and every family, until things fall apart from the inside.
The situation is not irreversible. The attack against Muslims happens at an individual, grassroots level; it is an effort which tries to corrupt the heart internally. Consequently, the counter effort must be done along the same means - we must establish environments in our homes which purifies the heart internally. Allah has given us so many means to do this; whether by praying our salaah in congregation, or by speaking of the greatness of Allah to our family and friends. And Allah does not leave the person alone who makes that effort; the help of Allah is always with the one calling towards Allah.
And as society becomes more and more corrupt, the value of our actions becomes more and more cherished in the eyes of Allah. The reward of reviving one sunnah in a time of corruption is better than the reward of someone dying in the cause of Allah. The reward for bringing someone back towards Allah when all other forces seek to turn one away from Allah is so high; only Allah knows what is in store for the person who returns the beloved slaves of Allah to Him.
Media is simply a tool, one of many tools Shaitan employs to turn our hearts and minds away from our real objective. Shaitan is tricky, but his weakness is clear and known; talk about Allah, call towards Allah, and Shaitans influence becomes negligible. The Azaan drives Shaitan nuts, because it calls people away from everything else and proclaims that Allah is Greater than whatever it is we may be engaged in.
Excellent analysis, may Allah give you courage and steadfastness in the face of these challenges.
Please refer to what Faraz just wrote except substitute my name in for his so that it makes it seem like as I said that. ;)
The war against Islam began during the time of the Prophet and it never ended - it just evolved from one style to another... thus, we're being waged on multiple fronts now by the enemies of Islam. A smart tactic on their part but ultimately futile...
Abhishek – I’m all for protection of women’s basic rights and to improve upon their current social condition but that doesn’t mean I have to ‘modernize’ the whole setup. The problem is that people believe liberation means taking off extra clothing like scarves, burqas, abayas, dupattas, etc. To modernize the woman means to give her the freedom and liberty to dance around and make a big display of herself.
Shantanu - What Pervez Musharraf is doing is beyond me. It's true that we've sold ourselves to the West (actually, that was done looong ago) and the Establishment (US orders + Pakistani executing staff) keeps stuffing the Pakistani nation with whatever it wishes... refer to the upcoming second installment of this post.
Faraz Bhai - You're exactly on spot with all that. For the past two years, I've been observing minute, minute details... new laws, regulations in our country whose point of origination is suspect.
The TV is playing the biggest role by, at first, carrying out the de-Islamization (or mis-Islamization... the faulty religious information given through so-called Islamic programs) and overall distortion , if I may say, of women's rights and social condition.
As for the counter-attack, it is surely there, Alhamdolillah, and I place all my hopes in it. When a single girl gives ear to Islam, attempts to turn back from the wrong path, it means so much! That one girl goes on to inform her family and so on...
The biggest source of hope...
"They plot and plan, and Allah too plans, but the best of planners is Allah!" [Quran: Surah 8: Ayah 30 (part of)]
Nomi Bhai - Very true. In a sort of way, it's the same enemy but a different front and different circumstances. This time, there are many problems within the Muslim camp, as well as the lack of a true Believer to lead us. We're being pushed up against the wall but yes, insh'Allah, truth will prevail no matter the darkness that surrounds it.
"And say: Truth has (now) arrrived and Flasehood perished: for falsehood is (by its nature) bound to perish." [Quran: Surah 17: Ayah 81]
Drpak -It's understandable why you'd find my commentary full of hatred and anger. Muslims are always projected to be highly intolerant and disrespectful of other views and ideologies.
As for cramming religion down a fellow-Muslim's throat... it's silly to do such a thing. Ofcourse, it will never work. You must have heard of the saying, "a person persuaded against his will remains unpersuaded still".
As I said earlier, I represent Islam, simple and true in its beliefs and objectives. The Islamic code of life is free from flaw, that is my absolute faith in it and you cannot condemn me for believing that. The true followers of every faith place their trust fully in their respective religion.
What I cannot stand is the imposition of a foreign culture on a people that, no matter the social problems, are still Muslims. I cannot agree with a a woman dressing un-Islamically, while saying that she represents "Enlightened Islam". When I see that she does not represent Islam, I reserve the right to protest.
And yes, religions do focus on spirituality but then again, as I said, Islam covers every aspect of life. It is not restricted to the prayer mat. It is a code of life which strives to remove evil and develop good. It strives to remove social injustices and install equity and justice. I support this code of life that create awareness of our Creator, of the finality of death and of the importance of doing good.
I'm not shouting at anyone. Nor am I going around saying, 'Haraam' 'Haraam'. I am pointing out the incorrect protrayal of Islamic values, an attempt to distort them forever.
Remember, Drpak, the problems Pakistani society faces are not linked to some defect in Islam. You will find the root of the problem lies in inadequacies of men, in lack of education and in the extent of poverty. Islam is not guilty here.
And Faraz Bhai is right, in my opinion, like it or not, the world is polarized (eg: George Bush: "You're either with us or without us.") and we're heading towards an extremely polarized future. You and I will, both, be around probably to see things happen... soon.
Assalam-o-alaikum!
I don't think I said that there's no middle ground between the friends of Muslims and the enemies; I certainly don't want to be the one saying "you're either with us or against us." Personally, I tend to be na?ve in believing that most people out there are good people, and that to say we're engaged in a battle of good versus evil is far too simplistic.
However, your insinuation that sister Ameera is angry and hateful because of her objections towards the condition of her country is the sort of binary thinking that causes this sort of polarization. When expressing disagreement is considered "hate", people essentially have to choose a side. And that's not a problem between Muslims and non-Muslims; we're fighting these battles amongst ourselves, and the rest of the world is just laughing at us.
In this particular case, I don't think her arguments show that she despises these people, but as a Muslim woman, I think she has every right to be apprehensive about the direction they're heading. If we weren't disturbed by the declining morality around us, we would have to question our own faith.
We have to encourage healthy disagreement and debate; there are more than two sides to every issue. And we must respect those that disagree with us; we might be the ones that are wrong, after all. That does not mean that we cannot express our opinions against those we disagree with.
I'd love to take part in this discussion, only if it wasn't taking place on a blog.
Rightly said ameera... but I would again put the blame partially on ultra-right winged parties in Pakistan. Its because of them that pervez has to put up a rosy picture of Pakistan in front of them. Islam's teachings are really superb, but the clergy twists it in the way they want it to be...and sufferers are poor followers of the religion… Can anybody please tell them that never can a problem be solved by killings and hate!!!
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