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Changing mindsets
Of late, a number of excellent docu-dramas have been produced in the country to create awareness about various social issues and the injustices existing in the social fabric of our society. While most of them have dealt with subjects such as honour killings, marrying the Quran, etc., which basically affect women in the villages, PAWLA (Pakistan Women Lawyers’ Association) has created dramas that concentrate on subjects touching the lives of a large number of Muslim men and women - such as divorce, law of inheritance, maintenance, etc., — and has recently launched its thirteenth video film, this time dealing with polygamy.
The drama videos made by the organization serve a dual purpose, for not only do they create awareness, they educate the public about human rights and religion’s stand on various issues as well. Since this particular drama is against polygamy, it was all the more interesting for the audience to see how a subject sanctioned by Islam could be discouraged so openly.
Whether a drama on such a controversial theme would ever be aired on PTV, remains to be seen
Cleverly scripted by veteran Hameed Kashmiri and conceptualized by lawyer Rashida Patel, the drama revolves around the lives of two couples. In the case of the first couple, the husband is an insensitive ogre who mistreats his pure and devoted wife and is married to another woman without his first wife’s knowledge. The second story is about a relatively affectionate husband who is contemplating a second marriage in order to improve his financial status.
Thus, without portraying all men who indulge in polygamy as uncaring beasts, the writer has tried to show the downside of sharing oneself with more than one wife. At the same time, an attempt has been made to explain the context in which the ayat regarding polygamy was revealed and its relevance - or lack of it — in today’s world. An insight is also provided into the country’s still existing Family Law Ordinance and the penalty one could face in the case of non-observance of the laws.
Whether a drama on such a controversial theme would ever be aired on PTV, remains to be seen. However, one does feel that plays like these are very significant in today’s society and at least encourage people to think for themselves and dwell deeper into the teachings of the Quran before taking decisions that may be detrimental to their happiness.
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