Posted:
I find it strange that whenever they portray Muslims on Indian television or in movies, they show them going to dargahs and similar places, which would make people associate dargahs/mazaars with Islam. From what I understand, this is totally contrary to Islamic teachings - there should be a direct interaction with the Creator and not through intermediaries such as saints or other religious people. Going to a dargah and praying, tying threads, is "shirk" (associating someone or something with the Lord) as per Islamic teachings, so I wonder why it is glorified on screen. Perhaps because such locations and situations provide a better 'cinematic effect' to show the spirtual aspect of a religion.
Most Muslims I know never go to dargahs and many even refuse to mix with people who do. Why this misrepresentation on screen? The sad fact is that people believe what they see on TV, and this is no different. I do not mean to offend people with this post, as I respect all religions/sects. I just find it strange that they equate Muslims with dargahs, when the truth is that only a certain small percentage/sect go to dargahs. In fact, this practice of creating/visiting dargahs only exists in the Indian subcontinent, and is unheard of in other parts of the Muslim world.
Considering how religious Asad is shown to be, I find it even more unusual in this serial that he visits a dargah/mazaar.
