News & Comment
Another Ramadan Hijacked by Capitalism

News

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Monday barred televangelist and talk show host Aamir Liaquat from hosting his Ramadan show 'Inam Ghar' for three days on Geo Entertainment, said a statement released by the regulatory authority.

The regulatory authority had issued a show cause notice after the June 6 episode, which showed a reenactment by the show's host of a girl committing suicide, stated the Pemra statement.

Sindh High Court nullified the ban so the show continues. (Dawn and Geo)

Comment

Ramadan in Pakistan offers two parallel realities, one where people are striving and struggling in the way of Allah (swt), fasting in the day and worshipping in the night in seclusion and the other where there is a vast array of activities designed to increase revenues and distract from the true values of this blessed month.

In the TV show Inam Ghar, a so-called Islamic scholar host asks audience members to engage in actions that clearly violate the character traits we need to build. Audience members are asked to perform actions such as showing anger, acting crazy and even using profanities! All for the reward of a material prize. Despite the ridiculous cringe worthy scenes mainly due to the hosts own antics, this show is hugely popular hence the ban can be easily overturned and the show goes on.

Alongside this, Pakistan’s main cities offer an abundance of unlimited iftar and sahoor buffets for a set price in a country where those living in poverty are daily begging for money, food and basic needs. Ramadan has become a huge feast for the few whilst the masses are faced with price hikes on basic foods and fruits.

With shops busier than ever catering to consumers eager to find bargains in Ramadan sales and get the latest Eid clothes collections with one ladies’ designer outfit on average 3-4 times more expensive than a monthly salary of a domestic helper, it seems like you just cannot afford to miss out. All of this is showing clearly that the spirit of Ramadan has truly been hijacked by capitalism.

Whilst marking the importance and uniqueness of Ramadan, eating good food and owning things is not something that detaches a person from Allah (swt) the detachment of Islam from life i.e. secular thinking, has corrupted this ibadah of Muslims. Islam has become a personalized affair so you can choose what to take and what not to take whereas a true Islamic society has unified thoughts and sentiments that ensure its cohesiveness and uniformity in thinking and actions.

Whilst the worshippers in the Masajid, the ones reciting the Quran and doing dhikr may choose to shun the materialism and excess on offer, who will be the protection for those who are not able to do so? How will the society as a whole experience the actual values of Ramadan? And who is there to actually regulate the way Ramadan should be marked? Islam is not the affair of the individual alone and Islam came to regulate the conduct of man with his Creator, his own self and those around him.

The only effective regulator is the Islamic Khilafah "Caliphate" system (Caliphate) upon the method of the Prophethood that will replace the benefit orientated Capitalist system and will be implemented in totality all year round, in Ramadan and beyond. This is why the Muslims in the past saw in Ramadan a chance to gain for their Akhirah, the lasting gain and not just the dunya. They strove in their fasting, prayers, and jihad in the way of Allah and Ramadan could not be hijacked as a food, shopping and TV fest.

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Nazia Rehman