Dirilis Erugrul, a Turkish series, has been welcomed to Pakistan’s tv channel (PTV) after being dubbed in Urdu. The series has been well received by the public, as well as celebrities who have sung praises of the show. Despite its roaring success, it has raised a few concers, especially by social activist turned politician, Muhammad Jibran Nasir. He believes that the show will spark yet another identity crisis within Pakistan.
Taking to Twitter, Nasir wrote: “We’ve many beautiful cultures in Pak[istan] but many still face a identity crisis which is also seen in our diaspora.” He went on to add, “Being ourselves often causes “Goras” to confuse us as Indians due to our similarities, so we mimicked Arabs tracing our roots to Bin Qasim. Now we’re trying being Turks.”
We've many beautiful cultures in Pak but many still face a identity crisis which is also seen in our diaspora. Being ourselves often causes "Goras" to confuse us as Indians due to our similarities so we mimicked Arabs tracing our roots to Bin Qasim. Now we're trying being Turks
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) May 10, 2020
Looking back at all those “Al-Bakistan” number plates that were an obvious reflection of the Arab cultural invasion in Pakistan, it now looks like we might be swayed too much by the Turks.
Despite his opinions, the public took to Twitter to reject his opinions. While some said that it was better to watch this Turkish series that glorified the days of a Muslim empire than to watch Bollywood and Hollywood actors, others suggested that Jibran Nasir celebrate the show for its work and not disregard it with such criticism.
Pakistan is a glorious smorgasbord of cultures. One of them is Turkish. Others are Arab, Persian, Indian and Khorasani.
The most recent addition: Anglophone Western.
None are particularly better (or worse) than another.
Your problem with Ertugul is yours, not Pakistan’s.
— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) May 10, 2020
https://twitter.com/SohailAnwer/status/1259562749325201408
https://twitter.com/cereal_twit/status/1259561749738655749
What the hell is wrong with your brain? Stop watching all Bollywood shows too if you are so against watching Turkish historical shows. You need to grow a brain. Watch only Lollywood and Pakistani shows if you are so afraid of becoming Turkish!! And don’t ever visit Turkey too.
— Mahbina (@MahbinaW) May 10, 2020
Doesn't surprise me at all @MJibranNasir jumping on the bandwagon to criticize. Buddy, no one is trying to be a turk. No one is trying to be arab. People are just watching a show which displays islamic values (a commonality between the two countries) so they like it.(1/3)
— Hassan Veqar (@hassan_veqar) May 10, 2020
Yes dancing on dilbar dilbar was our culture, watching Game of thrones was important part of our history. You are hating Turkish series because it was suggested by Khan and commoners watching a show which requires Netflix subscription. Ego side p rakh ke dimagh se kam lia kro.
— . (@__KhaNur) May 10, 2020
The series depicts the pre-history of the Ottoman Empire, chronicling around the plight of the nomadic Kayi Oghuz Turkic tribe, led by Ertugrul, the father of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire.