Rakhi Sawant and Aamir Liaquat: Whither media ethics?
Both Rakhi Sawant and Aamir Liaquat Hussain are given to hectoring, spewing venom and passing arbitrary judgements.
What do Rakhi Sawant and Aamir Liaquat Hussain have in common?
Both are given to hectoring, passing arbitrary judgements and being shameless to the core.
Perhaps the only difference between the two is that while the holier than thou TV anchor uses the religion card to ensnare the indiscreet and undiscerning viewer, the brassy Rakhi Sawant resorts to shock and awe tactics.
Now, both have another point of similarity: murder allegations.
With this Bollywood item girl’s messy track record, it is indeed surprising that NDTV thought it appropriate to hand her a reality show on a platter. Rakhi is seen in the role of a judge who arbitrates disputes of domestic violence and marital discord. Having Rakhi Sawant as a judge seems somewhat akin to handing OBL the nuclear trigger.
True to form, within a month of going on air, her reality show has been mired in murder allegations. Lucknow’s Laksham Prasad and his wife Vineeta appeared on “Rakhi Ka Insaaf” in October, with Vineeta alleging that her husband allowed his uncle to harass her. Prasad was upset after Rakhi Sawant termed him “impotent” on the show.
The 24-year-old Prasad died on Wednesday, and his family alleges that it was because of Sawant’s televised remarks while trying to settle the dispute between him and his wife. “My son was so upset with the indecent remarks that he stopped meeting any outsiders or neighbours, who used to laugh at him referring to the remarks by Rakhi Sawant. They had seen the show and how that girl referred to my son,’’ said his mother. “He started suffering from acute depression and even stopped eating. He gradually became weak and frail and died. No one other than Rakhi Sawant is responsible for the untimely death of my son.”
Playing the judge
Prasad’s family members have registered a case against Rakhi Sawant. She has now been charged on three counts and is facing imprisonment if the court finds her guilty. Notwithstanding the merits or demerits of this particular case, it begs the question that doesn’t great power come with great responsibility? The electronic media in our part of the world enjoys greater freedom now than ever before, but whither their sense of professionalism or ethics? Whatever happened to the concepts of neutrality and objectivity which should be the cornerstone of any anchor, whether dealing with a reality show or a religious programme? Who gave the media the right to sit in judgement on others and dispense warped justice as they see fit?
Is Rakhi Sawant to blame for this suicide or the villagers who teased and tormented the man? Undoubtedly, their taunts were directly influenced by Rakhi’s programme which only serves to illustrate the great influence exerted over the hearts and minds of television viewers. Closer to home, we have the example of the Aamir Liaquat Hussain, former host of Aalim Online. On September 7, 2009, Aamir Liaquat declared in his programme that killing members of the Ahmadi community was justified calling it ‘Wajib ul Qatal.’
Eighteen hours after the broadcast, on September 8, six persons entered the Fazle Umer Clinic in Mirpurkhas and shot Dr Abdul Manan Siddiqui 11 times. The killers remained at the hospital until the doctor was declared dead, then they walked out of the building’s front entrance. Police registered the killers as unknown. On September 9, forty-eight hours after the broadcast, Mr Yousaf, a 75-year-old rice trader and district chief of the Ahmadi sect, was shot and killed by motorcycle assailants on his way to prayer in Nawabshah. No one was arrested. Thus, two Ahmadis were murdered within two days of the telecast the programme.
Not only were there no legal repercussions for the anchor, he was allowed to continue his programme as well. Sadly, this was not the only time that Aamir Liaquat made questionable statements on TV. Earlier, he had also condemned the British author Salman Rushdie and said that he should be “killed for blaspheming the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in his book, Satanic Verses”.
Then, we have the example of the trendy singer turned preppy designer turned enthusiastic televangelist, Junaid Jamshed, who invited the luminary Maulana Tariq Jameel on his TV programme ‘Hayya al Falah’ to enlighten us as to the real reason behind the devastating floods in Pakistan.
Asked about the flash floods, the learned Maulana cited a verse from the Quran that meant fasad, either on earth or oceans, was of man’s own making. Another verse quoted suggested that a disaster befalling human beings was caused by their own actions. According to this interpretation, Allah when pleased allows rains to fall on time and when angry, withholds the rain. Maulana Tariq Jameel went on to blame the rulers for bringing into play God’s wrath. Hence, we sinners were advised to beg god’s forgiveness. No mention was made of relief work or the gargantuan scale of the humanitarian disaster facing our fellow citizens or the need to give generously. Far, far better to invoke visions of God’s fury to a beaming and approving Junaid Jamshed in his avatar as a Maulana.
After the ratings – the viewers’ role
What kind of a message does such an unrestrained and dangerous spiel send to the viewers of a country with an abysmally low literacy rate? Why can’t there be a code of ethics for the media which could monitor such programmes? One has to only look at the level of discourse in talk shows to see what prime time TV has been reduced to. Almost invariably, it is the TV anchors who encourage such misbehaviour and abandon moderation to sit complacently as guests bicker and almost come to fisticuffs. The esteemed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) appears to be hand in glove with the media mandarins since it is clearly uninterested in enforcing any code of ethics. Most media channels are manned by seths and charlatans who are willing to turn a blind eye to such a flagrant abuse of media ethics as long as their television ratings remain high.
But in the final analysis, it has to be said that we viewers also share some of the blame for this pathetic state of affairs. If the media is supposed to hold up a mirror to our society, why is the reflection so increasingly unpalatable? Does this bigotry, arrogance and desire for instant gratification not reflect what we have been reduced to? As long as television viewers are willing to subscribe to such vitriol, there will be more and more Rakhi Sawants and Aamir Liaquats and their legions of crazed followers who can go to any lengths to follow their Master’s voice.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of The Express Tribune.
A nice and thought provoking blog.. thanxs maheen.Recommend
Honestly, I hated your last article because you came across as very petty and biased. However, this one is great. I’ve been forced to reevaluate my opinion of you as a journalist. Kudos.Recommend
To be honest this problem just isn’t in India and Pakistan. The Western Media pretty much has the same programs Just look at Fox News and the bigotry they promote. The Media needs to be controlled. A free media will report what sells. They don’t care about the responsibility they have nor do they care about the consequences it will lead to. They just want more viewers and more money. Regulation of Media is a necessity.Recommend
Blockquote
Blockquote> Earlier, he had also condemned the British author Salman Rushdie and said that he should be “killed for blaspheming the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in his book, Satanic Verses”.Blockquote
Blockquote
And what does this imply? Salman Rushdie is wanted in numerous Muslim countries on account of Blasphemy.
I say that Liaquat was wrong on Ahmedi statement but not on Rushdie’s matter.Recommend
@ Maheen Usmani
It was good article overall but equalizing Amir & Rakhi to Maulana Tariq Jameel was totally un-justified where the first two have not at all comparison with later. And the first two have provoked violence, murders etc
If you have ever heard Tariq Jameel’s lectures, he never blames Govt. but the people and individualsRecommend
Couldn’t agree more with you.Recommend
nice article, rather provoking!Recommend
I completely agree with you when you say that great power comes with a great responsibility. In a democracy like India – where Media is supposed to play a role of a responsible watchdog and also is a fourth pillar of India’s democracy – its role becomes all the more important. But the question still remains: has the media been playing its role efficiently? I would say ‘No’.
Rakhi Sawant’s show ‘Rakhi Ka Insaaf’ is a perfect example of how the people are misusing the power of electronic media to make more money and attract more advertisements. The war of TRPs has deteriorated the content of media, and the media ethics, which the media is supposed to follow, have taken a back seat. No body gives a damn about the media ethics and the responsibility that comes with power of media. Everyone is interested in making more and more money through providing unreasonable content; no matter how unjustified it is.
Who is Rakhi Sawant to pass judgments on other peoples lives? Who is she to publicly humiliate others on her show? I feel really sad for that poor guy – who lost his life- after getting publicly humiliated by Rakhi Sawant. She must be punished for this heinous crime. There is a famous saying that, “You can money in a short period of time but it takes lifetime to earn respect in the world.” No one in this world has the right to play with others self-respect.
Ask Rakhi Sawant how she had felt when Mika had forceful kissed and molested her in front of the whole media. Rakhi Sawant and other people like her should know that there is a limit for everything. And if you try to cross that limit, you are liable to pay a heavy price for that too.Recommend
Great article.We, the people are also somehow responsible for all these dilemmas.Recommend
Such an unfortunate for our society.. these cults are just running FATWA Factories and promoting Hatred and not doing any thing good for us..Recommend
You really feel you are the only one here who has the divine knowledge of everything…yeah? Grow up girl…like we haven’t got any other issues in this country going on already…!!
@Sajjad Ahmed
Well said Sajjad…Recommend
not that i am any supporter of amir liaqat but in the mentioned video where exactly has he declared killing ahmadis wajib-ul-qatal???
Incase he did he should know that our Prophet of Islam was the biggest believer of diversity and peaceful coexistence. Besides one of the biggest agenda behind creation of Pakistan was the protection of minorities …shame on all of us for showing intolerance to them to this extend.Recommend
MashaAllah…what a thought provking story.wow.amazing…yes,you are right that we should try to spread peace and should not spread hatred but why ur pen which is more stronger then sword do not write about drone attacks,why it iz quiet about the evils in so called modern civil society,why it is heading down towards those telecommunication companies who are spoiling our generation wv these so called packages,why it is inkless while writing an article in the greatness ov Holy Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H.I do condemn whatever sulman rashdi did.Ur knowledge is really need to be upgraded a bit that while writing a column on rakhi sawant adding molana tariq jameel in that, wdout knowing the true essence ov his talks,spotting ur western kind ov knowledge..Recommend
@secular lover:
salman rushdie must be brought to justice and punished for his heinous crime, he is western puppy hiding in dark to save his skin for the crime he committed. no matter what is your ideology but no one has right to use bad words for Holy Prophet (PBUH). we Muslim do the same we never abused any prophet of any religion and we expect the same. Freedom of speech does not give anyone freedom to hurt.Recommend
@ Author: I couldn’t care less about the (fake) Dr. Sahab or any other Indian actors myself because they have no substance to offer.
But seems like you have a personal vendetta against Junaid Jamshed and Mulana Tariq Jameel. Mulana Tariq Jameel was asked specifically why floods come and he gave an interpertation based on the verses from the Holy Quran. We all know that JJ along with many others have played their part in helping the people affected by the floods and ofcourse it is the duty of every Pakistani to do so. I feel that your mention of Mulana Tariq Jameel and JJ is in a very bad taste, you have managed to pull them out of no where in this blog, just to throw some dirt on them. JJ in many of his conversations has urged the people to help their brothers, specially in Ramadan. If you don’t like people telling you things from the Quran, you can always choose not to listen, however you have choose to find justifications in your negative interpertations of their conversation which is totally Pathetic!
Sometimes I feel very sad reading crazy blogs like this and at the end always feel that I have wasted my time. But blogs that go on their own mantara and start bashing everything they don’t like listening to including someone telling them verses from the Quran, deserve a just reply!Recommend
very nicely articulated!
Exploiting media platform like this can not at all be pushed under the heading of ‘media ki azadi’, they are two different subjects. Media is an unbelievably powerful tool and its use by the hate mongrels can only result in disasters.Recommend
Kool………….a nice piece from you again………….spe the last para is an eye opener………kudosRecommend
Your points are highly important. This uncontrolled bias and irresponsibility of anchors and the media in general really needs to be checked.Recommend
really well written article !!
what we fail to realize is that media is no longer there to show us a mirror of our society, its turned into a whole corporate world, whether in indo-pak or in west. they report what sells, what keeps the ratings high and what brings in the cash. that is why the breaking news system is so ‘in’ and people glue themselves to such reality/talk shows. so unless we dont change this capitalist system, there will be many more such anchors suggesting opinions to the people.Recommend
ET: Can I ask for a reason why my comment was deleted ??Recommend
Well written Maheen Usmani ! Thanks for pointing out that FREEDOM with RESPONSIBILITY is what the media need today …Recommend
There is a hue of Satan around Aalim Online.
Btw is Online his surname.Recommend
anchors/ media should be more responsible what they are saying– your article is an eye opener maheenRecommend
@ Writer,
Agreed about Rakhi and Aamir Liaquat……but i will put you in the same league as Rakhi or Aamir Liaquat becouse using the media that is ET blog, you have tried to drag Maulana Tariq Jameel and JJ into it, who have not done anything wrong, rather are better then many of us.Recommend
A brilliant piece of work and an eye opener for all peopleRecommend
she is sitting on the same media.I think she is pointing out that express has chosen her wrongly…Recommend
When i read the first section of the article i was initially confused – Raakhi Sawant and Aamir Liaqat. And then i got it. Both have used and abused their role in society and the power of the media with terrible consequences. The former however is a joke and really cannot be taken too seriously. However with regard to the “Aalim” it is an altogether different matter. He is seen by many as a “religious authority’ (sic) and that power he has is very dangerous. Personally after what he said about Ahmedis, not only should he have been banned from tv for life, but should have been prosecuted for crimes of inciting rage in the community and bigotry. Anyone who supports him is equally guilty.Recommend
aRecommend
@Amer: I dont think you got the point of this article at all. It is about the power of the media and how it can be used to cause a lot of harm. Do you think at a time when 21 million people were displaced having lost everything, the right explanation was divine retribution? It seems our so called religious leaders tend to focus more on the azaab of God rather than the fact that he is kind and merciful. If someone actually came on tv and spoke about about god instructs you to be kind and charitable and a good human being, as opposed to preaching religious fanaticism, Pakistan would have been light years ahead.Recommend
There have been floods at Holy city of Makkah too in the recent past. What do Mr Tariq Jamil & JJ have to say about that ? ? ?Recommend
@Irfan: The one to punish is God..has the dignity or integrity or importance of the Prophet declined because of what Rushdie wrote??..not an iota..Muhammed was and will always be the only light for Muslims..if a writer decides to write garbage, it doesnt make my faith less..it makes me pity the man who must ridicule another to be heard..Recommend
Well said Maheen and well articulated.
“Jahalat is boundless but teaching jahalat is a crime against humanity.” – jLaLi FaqeeRRecommend
anyone who misuses his freedom of speech to spout hatred of another should be denied any airtime, on TV or radio..I have watched some of his programmes and am shocked at the type of subjects that are discussed, under the guise of Islam..as for declaring someone ‘wajib-ul-qatl’..it sends shiers up my spine..no one but God has that right..Recommend
I can’t agree with your comments on Junaid Jamshed because I think he is far, far better than Amir Liaquat. As for Salman Rushdie, well I’d personally like to cause him great pain but only because I have a zero tolerance policy for anyone that disrespects another religion, be it Islam, Christianity, or Hinduism. That’s just wrong on far too many levels.Recommend
The point about Molvi Tariq Jameel is particularly distasteful because he was talking about self introspection in the Islamic way. While I am a huge supporter of secular ideals, I believe it is people like Molvi Tariq Jameel who insist that we change ourselves before talking about changing others. I don’t know why extremists such as yourself feel the need to make everything to do with religion a punching bag.
Its disgusting and highly distasteful. Since the “enlightened moderates” amongst us don’t care much for religion, they should read the Quaid’s 11th August speech to the national assembly of Pakistan. For those of us who still have some respect left for God and His Prophet, read the last sermon of the Prophet delivered at his last Haj. Both deliver the same message: love humanity without bringing in personal differences. Under that directive, Aamer Liaquat should be incarcerated in prison under the charge of inciting murder. As for Rakhi Sawant, the Indian nation should deal with her in their own way. We ought to put our house in order.Recommend
Always like reading your stuff and this time too you have put your views forward very well.
What you write is also true for FM radio where the infamous “mullah radio” has used his mobile FM station for years to spread hatred and his version of Islam in the troubled north.
While the the previous regime turned a deaf ear to this, I am not quite clear on whether he still operates or not ?Recommend
Great write up–it forces me to point to one more similiarity but that concerns not the two in question but the newly burgeoning media and millions of TV channels which have crossed all standards of “standards” in showing programs which “sell” rather than which really are of any “substance.”
As a result a lot of individuals with VACANT top floors have become the blue eyed babies of the general viewer ship. Both Amir Liaqat and Rakhee Savant are the tip of the iceberg..When doing their shows, they present themselves pathetically unintellectual, making one get to the verge of nausea. And when you talk in a gathering of your disgust people look at you as if you have just landed from Planet Venus.
The much popular Indian BigBoss(not sure if that’s the correct name,nor am I interested to waste time to check it) and our Veena Malik’s raptures in it even induce vomiting after a severe nausea.
Nadia Khan of the morning was another sore in my eyes .Thank God she has chosen to have mercy on me for the time being. Just talking whatever comes in your moth with the brain into ‘shut down” mode.I know many of your readers must be thinking of me as insane writing all this about the last person.
Where is our general intellect heading? I dread to foresee.
If such are our TV heroes then great that more than half of my life span is already done away with.Recommend
Read Salman Rushdie like a piece of literature. On youtube you can watch him read an excerpt from his book (that which we will not speak of) – it is a brilliant piece of literature.
Nothing more – nothing less.
Once you start accepting and appreciating art for what it is – a creative expression by an individual not an international conspiracy – the world will become a better place.
Or you can wallow in hatred and believe that just because you believe your god is infallible and your holy books are great – the whole world also thinks so – in reality respect is earned through action – by claiming that Islam is the religion of mercy is not enough – you need to demonstrate that mercy by accepting the Rushdies of the world without declaring a fatwa of death against him.Recommend
Where did Maulana Tariq Jameel came from? Seriously? How did you connect him to all this?
Another verse quoted suggested that a disaster befalling human beings was caused by their own actions. According to this interpretation, Allah when pleased allows rains to fall on time and when angry, withholds the rain. Maulana Tariq Jameel went on to blame the rulers for bringing into play God’s wrath.
I doubt him blaming the Government because I have been following Maulana sahib for quite some time and he never blame the government it’s us responsible for all that.Recommend
@Amer:
man you just gave a perfect comment.
I found your comment much more commendable than this blog..!!Recommend
How’s Rakhi Sawant relevant to Pakistan?Recommend
@Sajjad Ahmed:
Maybe you wrote something that “offended” them.Recommend
A great topic to work on. Well identified and well thought out. The article hints at the writer spending quite a while in researching and structuring the article. It was a delight to come across the two case studies of Amir Liaqat and Rakhi Sawant in the course f the debate. It really rooted the article very nicely.
Maheen i believe has achieved a momentum over time as a writer. The article well identifies some very recent pitfalls in the media industry. I am glad someone saw the unjust gap / sledging / sensationalism etc. that is fast emerging in the global media machine. The conclusion had the potential to be even stronger.
I personally would rate this piece on the HIGH end of the point chart. Sensible and well thought out writing. It has the facts and real life incidents to back up arguements. As i reader i found myself thoroughly enjoying reading this piece.Recommend
as always, brilliant Maheen, “unruly media” definitely resposible to peromote such incompetents. i rating JJ as well in this catagory, yet an other “halka” just advertise free his product on TV as he appear on screen to wear his “lush” clothing for richs, no ordinary people can buy his lavish clothing, n he preach Islam on TV by saying that “Allah don’t like extravagance and classes among humanity”.. then what you r doing JJ ???Recommend
Very nice article, now a days every channel/ show want to become hit over a night and they telecast all the news program openly without thinking of the consequences people really follow media and their favorite actors/ anchor. There should be a check and balance on television activities and I am glad that you have covered the consequence so brilliantly.Recommend
Very well written article but I don’t understand the last part about Maulana’s. I don’t understand how you managed to link Media Ethics with Maulana JJ as I don’t see any logical connection.Recommend
Your own conclusions on these issues need more analysis. But the anchors while sitting before camera seems to be giving verdicts very often on almost every issue. It is more objectionable.Recommend
I agree with the comments made by Mr. Saad Durrani that Amir Liaqat is absolutely wrong on the issue of Ahmadees but right on Rushdi. It is very clear that our Religious doesn’t allow killing any person and also our constituion give securtiy to the minorities. However, if some one act to create harrassment to muslims, he should be punished by the Court only. As far as Rushdy’s is concerned it is not only Amir Liaqat Hussain to declared his murder but more Olamas gave similar statements.Recommend
This is not in response to the article- it is in response to the commenters.
I love Islam but I do not love all Muslims. Especially not a few of the above. When will you people learn that Allah DID NOT give you the right to go around killing people? Or asking for them to be killed just because you disagree with them? I hate Salman Rushdie’s face because of his offensive work but that doesnt mean I want him dead. If you had any faith in God whatsoever, your faith wouldn’t be threatened by a chubby old man. If you had any faith in God, you’d know that God is just and he will take care of it. If anything he was a very mediocre writer and it was people like you with your outrage and your making a mountain out of a molehill that made him famous in the first place. Because of you people, he gained notoriety and his books instantly became bestsellers. You are responsible for all the money he has in the bank.Recommend
It is amazing to see how the author has linked two different people and underlined the similarities among ‘cheapsters’.
Human values are so oustanding that race, language, religion become secondary. They are so overwhelming that one can easily find common grounds among Jamat-e-Islami and BJP, Jamiat and Shiv Sena and the list goes on..Recommend
The writer seems exceptionally gifted and she has a great choice of words. It made me look up in the dictionary manytimes :)
I don’t know why I feel that despite all that Rakhi Sawant is still better than Alim Online. At least she doesn’t hide behind holy scriptures.Recommend
@Sahar:
fangirls over youRecommend
@Sajjad that comment has been deleted. Thanks for pointing it out. Best regards (Web Editor)Recommend
Excellent article and I feel its time media starts behaving more responsibly and not contribute to the mayhem.Recommend
@ Amer
i completely agree with your comment here and would request ET to please filter and edit such insufficiently researched blogs.Recommend
You are comparing a nut-job with a Ideologically inspired nut-job. Not fair, I think. Rakhi is not motivated by any ideology and her show did not openly encourage anyone to kill anyone else. I am in no way defending her actions but just pointing out that this comparison is unfair.
I am inclined to think that when you saw the news about Rakhi Sawant, you felt the need to compare the situations in 2 countries. Well, if a guy comes on TV and says Muslims/Sikhs or whatever, are worthy of being killed, then I think its fair.
Not in this case.
Rakhi Sawant can best be compared with a TV show in the US, where contestants get really nasty. Forgot the guy’s name.
Indian and Pakistani TV are NOT the same. The kind of content that is aired in India is less ideologically motivated and very inclusive.Recommend
Rakhi Sawant as a Judge !!! Strange….
The judges are sober and wise unlike her !.. How could she make decisions on issues such that ……Recommend
i was reading this article with utmost attention until i scrolled down and i came across maulana tariq jameel saab’s name. how on earth could you fit him in this article and make such sweeping remarks about such phenomenal figures and outstanding representatives of the islamic effort and the so-called ‘islamic’ republic of pakistan. at least think and then write. you’re doing worse to this country by motivating the public towards the wrong with your deluding statements. it’s ridiculous.
and please, polish up your facts and justifications before carrying the charge of such heavy duty accusations on your fragile shoulders. do you even know why salman rushdi is called a gustaakhe rasool(saw). i so agree with mr. irfan that freedom of speech does not give freedom to hurt anyone.Recommend
its all about ET.Recommend
damn….tariq jameel’s got himself a cyber army…Recommend
Maheen
Moulana Tariq Jamil is a great scholar, please dont drag him and Junaid Jamshed into this. Moulana Tariq jamil is 100% correct when he said we should repent for these floods are because of our own deeds. Basically in our society it is a fashion to badmouth a person who shows you a mirror. I hope next time you will refrain from such a thing. ThanksRecommend
If a person is responsible for spreading agony and for detoriating the holy image of Prophet (Sallallahu Alaehi Wasallam) which casued pain and sorrow to Muslims all over the world then how should Rushdie be treated, with awards?Recommend
So, wait, earthquakes and floods stemming from the northern areas have nothing to do with the fact that the himalayas are and hindu kush are relatively young mountain ranges (hence the height) and are seismically and geologically active – but has all to do with ‘sins’ of the people. Spare me the drivel please. If your ‘godlessness’ theory is correct then why do major disasters not happen in the first world where people die like dogs or cats. The reasons for these disasters are manifold, geographical, economic, social and political.
The fashion @umair malik, is to be hypocritical and blindly follow religious edict – which is why religion continues to be a weapon in the hands of the authorities.Recommend
Amir & Rakhi are in fact real brother & sister who were separated when their parents took them to a Mela. Amir came to Pakistan whereas Rakhi went to India.Recommend
An excellent piece again maheen.
Kudos to the examples you have used and the way you related them with the Pakistani context.
Its a shame that people are defaming the writer for highlighting the role of tariq jameel.
We must accept now that tariq jameel is the biggest ideological threat OBL.Recommend
http://awaztoday.com/playvideo.asp?pageId=5409
Listen what Molana JJ has to say about the 19 women who died in a stampede which occurred in Karachi last year when a local trader was distributing cheap flour. Molana JJ says that there is a difference between rich man’s faith and poor man’s faith. Societies only collapse when poor people fail to embrace the true values of Islam. In short, the poor people are responsibe for the decline of the state.Recommend
@faraz:
Putting out of Context. I have listened to his views on the topic, he said that we shouldn’t just complain about the rich people faith even the poor faith has been weakened.
Maulana Tariq Jameel is absolutely fantastic and someone with a great contribution to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.Recommend
As usual Maheen is excellent in speaking the bitter truth.I share every word of herRecommend
@Erfan
Poor people have no education. It means they cant read Quran or Hadees. So how are the poor poeple going to understand and interpret the real values of Islam?
Poverty is the biggest of all tragedies. When you dont have food to eat, you tend to worry about this world than the world hereafter. Poeple who do back braking work all day, dont have the time to think about religion. Its easy for the privaleged ones like us, lying down in our cosy bedrooms with full stomachs to carry out theological debates. These people have been starving for years, not 3 days as Molana JJ demands of them!
Molana JJ should look at these pictures before issuing his “3 day fatwa”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39257268/ns/worldnews-southandcentralasiaRecommend
@faraz:
Since when did Junaid Jamshed became a Maulana? Or is that the assumption similar to anyone with beard is termed as Maulana. Secondly, Junaid Jamshed isn’t eligible to give a fatwa whatever he says is his opinion and for a proper fatwa you need to find an alim. Lastly, his fatwa doesn’t carry any weight in the circle of alims because he is not an expert.
I think if you go deep it’s easier to get poor people to think of hereafter because they don’t have much expectation from this world. If you go and spend sometime on chilla, 3days or whatever the majority of the people are poor. They don’t have money but they still manage to do some saving and go for 3days or 40 days or whatever days.Recommend
To the author of this article:
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility………..You could urself give it a second thought whoeva u r Maheen..as far as Amir Liaquat and This Indian Cartoon is concerned lets say fair enough….but about this person JJ and Tariq Jameel…Did He (Tariq Jameel) said anything wrong…and surely there are signs for the people of knowledge…look at what our acts are and try to repent rather than cursing ang goin against anyone who is pointing them out..indeed we r facing the wrath of Allah…because the action is more fast and proactive for muslims compared to the rest..Injustice,,,Mass Murder,,,Corruption,,,Addition in Religion,,,Palmistry,,,,and ofcourse Interest and System of Banking we’ve got ,,, our leaders r the worst amongst us,,,,Zakat is either not given or stolen,,,,.This is the irony and dillemma of our nation we are not strong and courageous enough to even take the positive criticism,,even frm people who care about us..instead keep finkin…ALL IS WELLLLL…but its notRecommend
Why tribune delete such comment…??????????Recommend
Thanks for writing this, Maheen. For me, the crux is in your final paragraph: “If the media is supposed to hold up a mirror to our society, why is the reflection so increasingly unpalatable?” Certainly the media is culpable, but we create the market. They will quit producing what we refuse to buy. This antagonistic, vapid “journalism” is rampant in America, too, and it has me changing to ESPN or the Discovery Channel more often than not.Recommend
Excellent article! Mullas are taking our dear Pakistan down. We need to stop these lying creatures. According to a Hadith, in the latter days, the Mullas of the time will be the worst creation under the sky. This is proving so true today. May Allah help us.Recommend
and you wrote abt Maulana Tariq Jamil and Junaid Jamshaid, wow…. Some people just have to wrote ab maulanas whether they are doing too.
otherwise a nice article.Recommend
A great blog like always. Alam should be banned in public. Shame on him on and on those channels who put him on air.Recommend
Very nice article. How can people be allowed to make hate speeches on TV?Recommend
@Shumaila:Recommend
Very well written Maheen.A very honest and true picture of how people get influenced by Media. Media can make or break nations forget individuals here…..Recommend
I am agree with u maheen but not 100% because you have also discussed about junaid jamshed and moula tariq jameel and i think these both are working very well and lead a huge amount of people and try to set their minds towards the Islam.Recommend
every person must remain in his limits. no one must talk bad about any religion ,we must respect each others religion so that we live in harmony and no one will be triggered to kill.Recommend
goodRecommend
think over itRecommend
Sigh
how come you have connected amir liaqat with rakhi sawant? How come are you so sure that the ahmadi’s killed were only because of amir liaqat’s statement :O
Our ”Liberal” journalists should also take into consideration the facts that our religion does says this a muslim if changes religion, then he is WAJIB UL QATAL…you should also see for the religious stance on these mattersw before posting anything. Islam is the best religion and only if you understand it :)
hope so you would try to research on this as well why they are wajib ul qatal and yes you need to search on SALMAN RUSHDI too…Recommend
@Saad Durrani:
i agree with saad !!Recommend
@Abdul:
i totally agree with ur wordsRecommend
@malik:
i coulrnt agree with u more !! great replyRecommend
hmm…..
shld hav reviwed it b4 posting….Recommend
Maheen, you are right for the most part, especially in condoning people unfit to pass judgement to so. However, we can’t always quite the voices around us. Why be mere robots willing to act of the blood boiling sermons of anyone. Dr. Hussain, or others can say whatever they will, a person aware of the teachings of Islam, and in touch with al-Quran realize that when he kills someone on the street, its fitnah, i don’t care who that person is.
As for your thoughts regarding Junaid Jamshed and Moulana Tariq Jamil, I believe they were expressed in a program meant to discuss religious issues. And the point they discussed is a question in many concerned minds. Although we should realize that for a believer there is a in every calamity. Think of the reward the volunteers gathered, and you and I can’t even begin to imagine the reward of the people who were affected by this. Were there people who were sinful? May be. Was it merely a punishment for a few? It is the sunnah of Allah swt to punish the disbelieving nations. Now for the most part, most of us are blindfolded to the demands of out deen, but I think that most of us believe in Allah, leaving us with the opportunity to cleanse ourselves of our sins. Are we sinful people, heck yes!!! The world knows it, we know it. Why do we cry corruption, social injustice, wadeera raaj, if its not for our sins. We are trapped by actions both criminal and sinful, and those are the worse of the sins, since we take over someone else’s rights. I think we have developed such a thick skin that we fail to even realize that we are sinful. And we are not the first of the people in general, or the Muslims in particular to hit this phase. Many nations before us have, and perhaps many long after us, would still be mislead into immorality. Many before us have been destroyed, although mostly with humiliation at the hands of the victorious armies such that it was never witnessed before. So as for the floods, may be for a few they were a punishment, but remember always, that a punishment which allows us to rectify our mistakes, or become a better person, is indeed a blessing. It takes removal of the “material vision goggles” to see the non-material, the benefits for the mind and the souls. Its a piety that the world is turning to prove spirituality, yet now is when some people are choosing to turn away from it. In the end remember, we are humans, i.e. we are sinners. When the Prophet saw asked for forgiveness, who are you and I to act like we are free of them. It never hurts to ask Allah swt for forgiveness of our sins, and for His mercy. Given our lives are mysteries, in that the good or bad nature of our action will only be brought to us in the hereafter, why not be optimistic, and yet humble. Without humility, nations loose their course, and get lost in the web of time.
P.S. Whatever I have said applies to me first and foremost. Indeed I say this because many times I have witnessed the negative effects of my ‘bad’ actions. In reality, its the choices we make, each and every choice. When we allow ourselves anything less than good, we are doing something, that is not noble, we are being thankless, and I have on so many occasions see those moments come back to bite me. And if it wasn’t for that, I would be totally happy with being as heartless a person, as I could be. We all make mistakes, and we need to be forgiving to each other, and to ourselves as well.Recommend
and who loves batalvi ?? – US ! nobody but usss!!Recommend
well honestly how easy it is to right against someone and well i would like to ask writer of this blog is she using this platform correctly
I don’t know from where this mind set is coming
Btw you have dragged in JJ and tariq jameel for nothing out of context just to increase the length of this article
Write something that inspires some oneRecommend
@Umer:
If in your opinion instigating someone for murder is not a crime then you are right.Recommend
good one , thought of my heart he is a pseudo scholar and I always classify him among mullahRecommend
I want these two to get married to each other so that we can Rakhi packing to Pakistan ASAP.Recommend
Excellent writing skills but extremely pathetic and biased views about M Tariq Jameel and JJ. People like the writer of this article are usually habitual of dragging the right ones into wrongs. While taking about wrong things they also talk about those who are saying something right with the point that “He does not say this?”. For God’s sake why do not you think what he is saying is that wrong? why do you only concentrate what he has not said? V V SAD.Recommend