An overview of ongoing Ramadan Transmissions in Pakistan

Are we doing justice with Ramadan???

Ramadan transmissions is the latest ongoing trend in Pakistan after we have witnessed competitions between Drama Serial soaps and Morning Shows in past. You can spend the whole day easily while watching various Ramadan cum game shows right from Sehri up to Iftar time. But the million dollar question is that are these transmissions really serving the sole purpose and theme attached with this Holy month?

Every person knows that this is a month of piety and self purification in which we spend most of our time doing Ibadat and acts of goodness. We abstain ourselves from distractions and try to be closer to Allah. Zakat and Khairat are done overwhelmingly to fulfill our religious obligations and helping those who deserve our attention.

Amir Liaquat’s show by Express News, leaves many of us with an unwanted feeling, he is literally playing with the people’s emotion which should not be done in this Holy month. Attendees look at him like the sole Messiah to get prizes, begging him for tabs, mobiles and bikes. Begging and persuading Amir bhai while closing their eyes to the Rehmat-e-bari spread in Ramadan. Amir bhai asking for refreshing comedy shairi while people responding with ishqiya shari.

He is also biased because by his show it clearly shows his soft corner for female audiences and his ignorance to males. Often wives are telling Amir Liaquat about their family problems and constraints in this live show (often begging for Bike) and their Husbands are sitting beside them keeping his mouth shut and ashamed, why do not they educate people to only spread their hand in front of Allah and try to win Sawab and prizes in Ramadan rather bowing in front of hosts of such shows. A very sarcastic video lately went viral on social media in which he is wadding a mango forcefully into the mouth of one of the participants. The biggest irony is the background music for all this stupidity RAMAZAN RAMZAN HUM SAB KA PAKISTAN which is no close to spirituality, just using Ramadan as yet another tool for getting ratings and commercials, what a pity!

In contrast to Amir Liaquat’s messy circus, it’s really worthy to mention, Q and A sessions by Allama Kaukab Noorani sahib on Express news a really treat to watch and learn on different Islamic aspects. His cool and calm way with pretty smooth flow of address is really unmatched and is indeed serving great deal in this holy period of Ramadan.

ARY’s transmission is going much better as compared to above mentioned circus with Junaid Jamshed and Waseem Badami ‘Shan-e-Ramzan‘ is showing better character and motive.

On the other hand the games show ‘Jeeto Pakistan’ could have been much better if they could have added Islamic Quiz section to distribute prizes.They could have arranged the competition of Qirat and Naat Khuwani. They could have initiated prizes on the good deeds of people relating to Islamic and Pakistani causes. But this touch is still missing while the game show is building each and every day. Even though the host has displayed a much better attitude and way of conduction as compared to other such game shows; I do not see any usefulness with respect to holy month of Ramadan. After spending good two hours with this game show what usefulness are we getting with respect to Ramadan?

PTV really stands tall among this ongoing mess and I personally liked the content and way of presentation with a descent host. Few days back I had a chance to watch a program in which Akhuwwat foundation’s Chief Mr. Amjad Saqib was invited and the host co-coordinated with in a very balanced manner throughout the course of program. He told us about his book and journey/working of his foundation which was very inspirational indeed.

In the background, the Calligraphy competition was going on and prizes were being given based mainly on Islamic questions; attendees were showing much patient attitude. The prizes were less and the show was less glamorous or rocky but the element of sooth and peace was there. I thought it was a very good effort indeed. May other channels could learn from grace and character often displayed by PTV.

Ramadan transmissions are also helping some genuine needy people through the generous Pakistanis around the world. People grab every opportunity to help the deprived through these shows which should be appreciated wholeheartedly. Knowledgeable Islamic questions are also helpful for the audience with sections of Naat and Qirat. Treating people with Sahri and Iftar is also a noble deed fulfilled during the transmissions.

The purpose of mentioning the above weakness is mainly to ponder if we are going in clash with Islamic teachings and soul of Ramadan. Are we doing justice with this holy month? Especially the way few programs are conducted in a haughty way should be curtailed. I wonder why people do not react to such behavior of hosts like Amir Liaquat?

Content is a key for fulfilling the sole purpose of Ramadan. Transmission time can be consumed in educating people with respect to our behaviors and societal obligations. Sessions of Tafseer-e-Quran can be initiated with programs on Seerat-e-Nabwi (S.A.W.). Scholars can guide people on how to get prizes from Allah (S.W.T.). Programs on Islamic training of house women can be started which would be a revolutionary step.