The Soap Opera
A Syrian soap opera aired for the first time this Ramadan has proved very popular but has caused consternation in some quarters because it tackles topics such as homosexuality, corruption, and extramarital sex. It is not short on violence, and it also confronts religious subjects, condemning suicide attacks and satirizing the power of Muslim clerics. The issues are tackled through the lives of young women struggling to cope in a male chauvinist society.
Why The Controversy?
The controversy has been aroused not just because of the topics covered but also because of the startling scenes and the explicit dialogue. Motassam, a 30-year-old technician interviewed by news agency AFP, said, “It’s a soap opera that damages Islam. It shows that veiled women get punished”.
Among those calling for the show to be withdrawn is well-known Damascus cleric Sheikh Said Ramadan al-Buti, who has called for Muslims to boycott the show and for the show to be banned on Arabic TV networks. He also criticized the title of the series, Ma Malakat Aymanukum, which is taken from a Koranic verse and which roughly translated means What Your Right Hand Possesses. This verse is said to refer to slaves or to people under one’s guardianship, and to lay down rules on men having sex with such people, although there is debate over what the verse means.
But even before the airing of this soap opera, concern had been expressed over whether overeating and lazing about watching soap operas after the iftar (the generally huge meal that breaks the dawn-to-dusk fast) during Ramadan is an activity that pleases God. This concern was voiced only a few weeks ago by Dr Khaled Abdelalim, an Islamic preacher in the United Arab Emirates with his own television show.
The Soap Opera Director’s Intentions
Najdat Anzur, the director of the soap opera, said that he wanted to show the negative aspects of society, such as oppressive religious attitudes, corruption and violence. He sees the work as a forum for the moderates, not, as his critics say, a work undermining Islam.
People’s Approval Of The Soap Opera
Those who like the show say that it exposes a society dominated by money and hypocrisy (Najiba, a teacher), and that it defends moderation and the rise of extremism (Fayez, a journalist).
Think About It
Are the intentions of the director of the soap opera good? Since he has hit some raw nerves, does it mean he has succeeded in showing the negative aspects of society? Should negative aspects of society be brushed under the carpet? Is it good to have a forum for moderates? Will they use the forum?
Previous posts
I have just finished watching this show yesterday, all i can say is that it 100% reflects our societies these days. i think Anzur did another great job in this soap opera. there were many messages between the lines of the different stories, and the quest for moderation in Islamic beleif is one of them. Great great show, i was very impressed and touched by it.