Religion for ratings
IT’S been apparent for a while now that the country’s electronic media will go to extreme lengths to spice things up. But religion is now fair game too. In yet another example of how the industry’s commercial goals trump ethics, open-mindedness and common sense, on Tuesday a television show broadcast an imam leading a Hindu boy through a live conversion to Islam carried out in the studio as part of the show, complete with the audience joining in to suggest Muslim names for the new convert. There is no reason to think the boy was not converting of his own free will, but the whole event had the distinct air of being carried out to give viewers something new and different to watch, even if that meant dragging an intensely personal and spiritual experience into public view.
More disturbingly, what the channel obviously didn’t stop to consider is the message this broadcast would send to the country’s minorities. The joy with which the conversion was greeted, and the congratulations that followed, sent a clear signal that other religions don’t enjoy the same status in Pakistan as Islam does. In a country where minorities are already treated as second-class citizens in many ways, this served to marginalise them even further. After the uproar over her pursuit in a park of innocent couples — who she later claimed were actors, making that episode even more questionable — one would think the host and her management would have been more careful with her programming. But then that is the problem with Pakistani media: it is missing a responsibility chip, hurtling ahead with what seems like exciting content without stopping to consider the ethical implications or appropriateness of its programming, or the message it will send to all Pakistanis, not just those it considers the mainstream.
Let Pakistanis remember what was said in 1947 by Mr.Mohammed Ali Jinnah, said: 'You may belong to any religion, caste or creed – that has nothing to do with the business of the state.' Forgetting the words of President of Pakistan will only cause trouble to the country.
Religion is a very deep thing and not to be taken easily. What happens if a Muslim get converted to another religion open, I guess, A fatwas will be issued against him right away.
The entire episode is obscene
by conducting this act we have given verdict against ourselves, Pakistan & islam. We have stamped the allegations that our opponents have always levelled against us. But it is well said ” aqal nahi te mojan hi mojan”.
shame….
we should respect all religions.
what about "Freedom of Expression" dear so called liberals? why are you all upset now?
Pakistan got freedom from India and become slave in the hands of their own people. Converts, overheated and shameless society.
The lady anchor have now become expert in conducting pathetic programmes and my suggestion is she should be promoted and join TEAM PAKISTAN lead by Malik and Zardari.
Someone ask her if he is a real convert or also one of her "paid actors".
Karach Wala – your comment 'Where is the Chief Justice' – my friend, the chief justice's eye will be closed on this matter because conversion (anyhow) is good for islam. It would have opened only if it was the other way round (impossible in Pakistan)
The boy has accepted Islam willingly so whats the problem if its shown live on air
I dont understand that why people are trying to portray that the person who accepted Islam out of his own free will on television screen live, was actually dragged on to the stage against his free will. If freedom of expression is so sacred then this boy should also be allowed to do what he wants be it accepting Islam on screen or off screen. There are a thousand things airing on television, which are wrong and dangerous for our future generations, but we never get time to focus on those >>>>why is that ?
i have no problem whatsoever with the boy converting to islam on TV … i guess nobody else has a probem either …. the only issue is if the channel can show a muslim converting to e.g hinduism with similar fanfare e.g on a prime time diwali show.
Thank you Dawn for bringing this issue. Living in Pakistan as a religious minority is really jeopardizing the very basic sense of being considered as equal. What is this host trying to convey? will this host give the same coverage if a Muslim converting to other religion? This show should be denounced in highest possible terms. These shows are insensitive to the Non Muslims. Does it explain the reason for gratification of one religion in a society where people of other religions also live?
that particular show is a Ramzan show and for your kind information Ramzan belongs to Muslims.
I think it is best that all Hindus in Pakistan convert. At the bare minimum they and their kids will have a chance to live. I saw the movie Khamosh Paani recently. I hope this newly converted kid will take care of his Hindu parents, unlike the protagonist in the movie..
Television owners ,please leave the religion alone and do comercialise the religion.please find something else to sell.
Pakistan has made Islam a joke and a medium of TV entertainment. The clerics who are opposed to TV & consider it a tool of the devil, should issue a fatwa against this debasement of a great religion. Religious conversion is a private affair and not to be done to titillate a TV audience.
Hilarious.
Why cannot we have a religious stock so that each religion reports how many in and how many out.
It is a shame that whole of the community is answerable for this act of few.