The controversial narrative line of the upcoming Pakistani television drama Firqa e Ishq, which centres on an interfaith union between a Sunni and a Shia couple, has caused controversy on the internet.
Many people have come forward to criticise the production of such a project that spotlights allegedly “forbidden” and frowned upon marriages between Shias and Sunnis, even if the miniseries should have served as a breath of new air from the oft-used tropes of saas-bahu narratives.
The ensemble cast of Firqa e Ishq, which will premiere on the OTT service Urduflix, stars Hiba Bukhari and Arsalan Naseer in the key roles.
Bukhari will play a Shia woman who weds a Sunni man named Naseer.
Also read: Why has PEMRA banned Geo drama serial ‘Hadsa’?
The Bukhari-Naseer project will centre on the couple who are under continual social and familial pressure.
However, social media users took it seriously and criticised Firqa e Ishq, even calling for a ban.
While some people highlighted the disrespect that results from filming sequences that were shot at religious occasions, others were busy generating memes.
Speaking of Firqa e Ishq, one platform X user wrote, “I want to inform you that this is a drama which is going to be released soon on Urduflix. The name of the play is Firqa e Ishq. Shia’at is being promoted in this play, in which the marriage of a Sunni boy to a Shia girl is shown as permissible and many acts which are not permissible in Islam will be shown.”
“This play,” he wrote, “projects Shia religion as the true lover of Ahl al-Bayt.”
“The writer of the play is also a Shia. All of you Sunnis are requested to raise your voice against it and ban this play,” the user added.
آپ کے علم میں لانا چاہتا ہوں کہ یہ ایک ڈرامہ جو جلد ہی اردو فلیکس پر ریلیز ہونے والا ہے. ڈرامے کا نام فرقہ عشق ہے اس ڈرامے میں سراسر شیعت کو فروغ دیا جارہا ہے جس میں ایک سنی لڑکے کا شیعہ لڑکی سے نکاح جائز دکھایا جارہا ہے اور کافی سارے کام جو اسلام میں جائز نہیں وہ دکھائے جائیں… pic.twitter.com/M8kVv6Nnn7
— عبدالسلام راکٹی (@Iam_Rakiti) September 27, 2023
In response, another user asked, “So according to you marriage between Sunni and Shia is not permissible?” and advised them to “stop spreading hate.”
“Marriage is permissible among Muslims and People of the Book,” he opined.
تو آپ کے نزدیک سنی اور شیعہ میں شادی جائز نہیں۔۔۔؟؟
نفرتیں پھیلانا بند کیجئے۔۔۔
مسلمان اور اہل کتاب میں بھی شادی جائز ہے ، آپ شیعہ سے شادی کو ناجائز قرار دے رہے ہیں۔۔۔— Anwar Ahmad Qureshi (@AnwaarAhmad91) September 28, 2023
“Jazak Allah – Maulana Sahib – You gave free publicity to the drama – Allah will reward you – By the way, sometime turn your rocket towards Mars – I have heard that there is a dire need for publicity there,” one user sarcastically wrote.
جزاک اللہ- مولانا صاحب- آپ نے ڈرامے کی فری پبلسٹی فرما دی- آللہ آپ کو جزا دےگا- ویسے کبھی اپنے راکٹ کا رخ مریخ کی طرف کر لیں- سنا ھے وھاں تبلیغ کی سخت ضرورت ھے-
— Muhammad Asif (@Muhamma20154223) September 28, 2023
“Why don’t you guys make a Sunni drama, Rakiti Sahib. Who stopped you?” another user replied.
کیسے کیسے خشک دماغ لوگ پیدا ہو گئے ہیں اس ملک میں، تم لوگ سنی ڈرامہ بنا لو راکیٹی صاحب. کس نے روکا ہے؟
— HeyItsMe (@SolitaryVoid_) September 28, 2023
One user jokingly remarked, “I think out of this they are going to create new Firqa “sushi.””
I think out of this they are going to create new Firqa “Sushi” 🌚
— اُمِ یُوسُف 🏴 (@_mahnoorfazal) September 25, 2023
