THE MEDIA AND THE BELIEF IN ALLAH

BY ZAHUR AND AKSA

HOW MUCH INFLUENCE CAN THE MEDIA HAVE

Television and films can influence our attitudes by presenting ideas as if they were facts, or facts as if they were fictions. When it comes to belief in a god some programmes that are not specifically religious give a message to viewers that having faith and believing in a god is positive and should be embraced or encourage and that it can be beneficial. Some programmes on television present people who believe in a god as bizarre as slightly strange and encourage the viewer to change this attitudes. There are many Islamic television which are designed to support belief in

Allah and enable the viewer to feel part of the Ummah, the worldwide brotherhood in Islam. These channels offer a wide variety of programmes to cartoon entertainment for children.

When viewers discuss a television programme it can sound as if the characters are real and a part of their lives and people come to know them as if they were friends and have a unique glimpse into their lives sharing with them the joy and distress of the events that take place. This may be over a period of weeks with a soap opera on television or radio or for a shorter time in the case of a television drama or film.

SUMMARY

• Television and radio and films broadcast as many scenarios that portray people believing in Allah.

• These can have both positive and negative effects on people’s attitudes toward belief in Allah.