The talk show - 'What Does Islam Preach & What Is In Practice?' broadcast in ATN, a private television channel in Bangladesh, has come up with a new dimension to the audience. It appears to be a different endeavor educating the audience about Islam with direct references to our day-to-day activities. The gap between the common practice in society and teachings of religion emerges from the discussions by the speakers who include politicians, bureaucrats, intellectuals, Islamic thinkers and professionals.
The topics selected for the programme were very timely and almost all the discussions were very thought provoking and pragmatic in the context of religion and life.
Talks on 'Corruption in Bangladesh', 'Female Education: Bangladesh Perspective, 'Communal Harmony in Bangladesh' and BRalso 'Price Hike of the Essentials' especially have cast the attention of the onlookers. The discussions feature the grim picture of our society as well as showed paths towards light. Most talks ended with a statement that we believe in Islam, but ironically do not practise in our life leading the society to darkness.
The issues like 'Women in Development', 'Role of Media in Curbing Terrorism', 'Student Politics', 'Madrassah Education', 'Terrorism' and 'Role of Mosque' were also discussed in the programme. All these issues are interesting and also very important to be addressed again and again. These topics can be discussed from various perspectives as people have abiding interest in these areas.
The speakers averred that Islam does not permit bribe, terrorism, communal clash, corruption, deception, but practically all these ill-practices are deeply rooted in the society and spreading rapidly in every nook and corner like the deadly disease cancer.
An observer said, "I first though it is an Islamic programme in the traditional sense away from the common problems of the society. But after watching it, I found it quite different from other Islamic programmes as the talk show touches the core evils of the society aiming at better diagnosis and cure from those diseases which are gradually eating up the vitals of the new generation."
He, however, suggested that the organisers should continue this daring programme without giving in to any threat in order to sensitize the people of all walks of life. Moreover, they should be careful in selecting the speakers and also change the schedule of the programme so that majority can enjoy this thought-provoking discussion.
A journalist who regularly watches the programme said the ATN talk show 'What Does Islam Preach & What Is In Practice?' deals with current issues like, corruption, terrorism, price hike, education etc in the light of Islamic teachings. "But we are in apprehension whether it will continue. Every Monday we wait for a new topic to be discussed by the eminent personalities from different fields, but to our utter disappointment we sometimes find it repetition of the earlier ones," he observed saying that the audience would be more inquisitive and serious if they could know about the subject matter of the discussion earlier.
Moreover, the authority may advertise the programme through print media also so that more people can feel like enjoying it. And in this way, the talk show can have a good effect on the mass people creating awareness against ill practices at different levels.
A university student having idea about the programme said there should be a room for audience at the talk show to make the programme more lively and interesting and those audience should be given the floor to raise questions at the end of the discussion. "New faces should appear to discuss new topics," he hoped.
He, however, said as the programme has been broadcast on Monday at around 12:40 pm, majority of the students does not get the chance to enjoy it. Many even do not know the name of the programme due to the schedule. Moreover, there is no contact address for the audience so that they can express their reactions on the programme, he remarked.
It would be better for the audience and the talk show itself if the authority would welcome feedback from the observers and take necessary measures to respond to their queries and suggestions. Moreover, it is such a programme which should not be aired during office hour as working people can hardly enjoy it. By this time, the programme would have become more popular if it was broadcast in the peak hours. It would also help achieve the intended goal of the programme.
However, Dr M. Shamsher Ali really fits here as the moderator as he is a knowledgeable person, a scientist having wide experience as a university teacher and on the other hand an Islamic thinker.
But the organisers do not always seem to be selective as regards to selection of speakers for the dialogue. Appropriate persons having credibility to commoners should be brought into focus so that the discussions become more fruitful and thereby brighten the society which is perhaps the ultimate end of the programme.
An observer