The craze of Ertugrul

Letter June 27, 2020
Little is known about the authentic account of Ertugrul’s life and struggle

UK: The dramatisation of the medieval period and the account of the life and times of Ertugrul Ghazi has taken Pakistan by storm. Apart from the Ertugrul Museum in Istanbul, little is known about the authentic account of Ertugrul’s life and struggle while his projection in the show and most other accounts trace its origins back to Turkish folklore.

The show has re-invigorated the spirits of Pakistani citizens by portraying the hardships of the tribal clans leading to the rise of Ottoman Empire — a romanticised version of Muslim history. This projects the show as a wholesome package for family entertainment and religious enthusiasm. Pakistanis have become so influenced by the show that statues and memorials of Ertugrul Ghazi have been erected in the country. However, a peek into some statistical figures of the show’s viewership shows how our children are routinely exposed to graphic violence. Slaying and beheading non-Muslims is shown as an act of gallantry and the effects that this type of exposure could have on our children has been widely ignored. What adds to the popularity of the show even more is the invincible trio of Ertugrul’s Alps who are portrayed as war-hardened disciples longing to spill infidel blood. One must ask: are we fostering a sense of societal integration in our kids? Is this so-called justified exposure to violence not creating a pseudo-religious barrier in the minds of children? These are the questions that need to be addressed by households all over the country. The state should introduce long-term policies with regard to children’s education and national reconciliation by creating a diverse curriculum that encourages acceptance rather than stoic vigour.

It is obvious that Islam was preached with love and compassion, not with sword and belligerence, but the show projects the exact opposite. Children are the seeds of our future and what we sow today will be reaped tomorrow. It is high time we started focusing on nurturing our children in a way that they are able to think for themselves.

Salman Abdullah

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2020.

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