Also Published on The Pakistani Spectator

It will be unjust to say that Ramadan is right in corner because the way time flies now Ramadan will be here in no time. No matter to what extent religious you are, but you somehow do face certain effects of the month. Effects of the month also take over our media outlets and our TV screens, the programs we see are specially coated with its colours. Talking about Ramadan, special TV shows has always been flavour of this month. In past these shows were more inclined towards the cooking shows sharing recipes for the ‘iftar’ meals, live telecast of ‘Tarawih’, and TV shows related to social and charity work, quiz shows about Islamic history, and talks from the scholars to elaborate the benefits of this months and other religious issues. However, that was all during “PTV” era with the bombardment of private TV channels a race of rating begun and it taken over Ramadan transmission too.

For a decade now, the trend of bit more glamorized and commercial Ramadan Transmission has emerged and credit for this ‘development’ goes to the private sector. Private sector cannot be blamed completely because this is what business all about- making money. However, going against the limits, which normally called ‘moral limits’, has been the counterproductive aspect for the society that happens to be the audience of such shows.

This race has given birth to a ‘pop culture’ within the religion where certain scholars and TV show hosts have huge followings and enjoy popularity. This fame and following brings more sponsors and rating to the TV channels. As a result, why every channel is in race to come up with the best possible ‘face of Ramadan’ this month to get most out of the ‘blessings of this month’.

There was a time in 90s when during Ramadan we used to have sensible people like Dr. Ghulam Murtaza Malik on our TV screens doing Ramadan Shows. However, today we are imposed with ‘Fake Doctors’, ‘Opportunist Anchors’, and ‘Famous Actresses’ showing their talent in the name of ‘Repentance’. Having seen all this one fail to understand where have we gone wrong that we are facing this reverse progress today.

The recent result of media’s campaign of “lets occupy month of Ramadan” we are seeing something unbelievable. One unknown TV channel out of nowhere have become talk of the town within few hours just because a famous actress is going to host the Special Ramadan Show for them, which looks more like making fun of Ramadan and the true concept of Ramadan transmission. Moreover, it is a thump to the other channels and their ‘Ramadan Faces’. Now there is going to be another race that how to counter the most glamourous and the highly sponsored ‘Astaghfar’ (repentance) one has ever done in the history of Pakistan.

Today in the name of Ramadan Transmission, we are going to experience hypocrisy and mockery in highly glamorized and celebrated manner. Religion or morals have become some kind of joke in our country. Few have made religion a tool to suppress or even kill those who do not agree with them and justify such ruthless acts in the name of religion in a country were people always pick emotionality over rationality when it comes to religion. On the other hand, another bunch have made it a commodity – a commodity that is being sold for last 65 years now.

P.S. This post was written two days ago along with the launch of this online petition, as a step that was in my power to raise a voice against something wrong about to happen. All those who signed the petition and supported a big thanks to all of you.

P.S.2. By the time this post went online there has been a news saying that Hero TV has dropped Veena Malik, as News Tribe reported:

Karachi: Apparently succumbing to public uproar and online petition in Social Media, Veen Malik, a controversial Pakistan-based Indian actress, has been removed from Astaghfar Show, a Ramadan-based program at newly launched Hero TV. 

A highly placed source in Express Media Group, which launched Hero TV, told The News Tribe that it was confirmed that the bold actress had been removed from the program…

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