Renowned actress in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, Bushra Ansari, expressed her concerns about the impact of Ramadan transmissions on people’s worship during the holy month.

According to Bushra Ansari, these special TV programs have shifted the focus from prayer and spiritual reflection to mere entertainment, leading people to experience hunger without engaging in meaningful religious practices.

In a recent vlog shared on her YouTube channel, the senior actress organized an Iftar event and shared her candid thoughts with her followers. She highlighted how the surge in Ramadan transmissions on TV channels has caused a decline in devotion, as people are more inclined to watch these shows than to engage in worship.

The senior actress said that every other channel now runs Ramadan transmissions, and it has become common practice. “There were transmissions before, but people didn’t watch them as much. That was a good time, but nowadays people watch with great enthusiasm. I also go and sit in Ramadan transmissions of different channels, people enjoy it, and it must make their fast easier.”

According to her, the current trend of watching these shows with enthusiasm may distract people from their religious obligations, like prayer and Quranic recitation.

She further added, “I feel that when we didn’t watch these transmissions, we engaged more in worship. We would recite the Quran and read tasbih whenever we had free time.”

Bushra Ansari also mentioned, “Back then, fasting was fasting, not just hunger. Now, without worship, without reciting the Quran or doing tasbih, just watching Ramadan transmissions and fasting is no longer a fast; it’s just hunger.”

Last month, Bushra Ansari was honoured with the prestigious Award of Recognition at a ceremony in the UK Parliament for her exceptional contributions to the entertainment industry and her social advocacy.

During her speech, Bushra Ansari took the opportunity to highlight the significant role of Pakistani dramas in promoting the country’s rich culture, traditional attire, and the Urdu language.

She acknowledged the impact of Pakistani dramas not only in the UK but also across the world. “It is a privilege to receive this honour in such a prestigious setting,” she remarked.

The actress dedicated the award to fellow artists and storytellers who, she said, have worked tirelessly to showcase Pakistan’s cultural heritage on a global scale.