Over the past decade, Turkey has emerged as a major exporter of Islamic drama series across the Middle East and North Africa. Turkish television drama, known as "Turkish novels", has become a very popular form of entertainment in many Muslim-majority countries. However, Turkey's cultural influence through television is indisputable. Some people question whether the content of some Turkish dramas is suitable for Muslim viewers.
There are several reasons why Turkey excels in producing Islamic theater. First, Turkey has a large and sophisticated television industry that targets both domestic and international markets. The country has invested heavily in television infrastructure and trained drama producers and actors. This puts Turkish producers in an advantageous position compared to producers in other Islamic countries.
Second, Turkey straddles both the Islamic world and the Western world. Most Turkish dramas aim to combine Islamic values with modern storytelling styles popular in the West. They portray Muslim characters and society in a way that is relatable and appealing to Muslim viewers, yet still entertaining compared to more conservative alternatives. This has allowed Turkish novels to gain wide popularity among diverse Muslim communities.
However, the commercial success and cultural influence of Turkish television has been challenged by more conservative elements. Some Islamic scholars argue that some Turkish dramas contain overly sensitive content that promotes liberal social values and goes against Islamic teachings and traditions. The film has been criticized for issues such as a romantic kiss scene, issues with women's fashion, and a storyline depicting a premarital relationship.
Critics claim that such content has a negative impact on social attitudes, especially among young people. He believes that the purpose of Islamic theater is not to distract viewers with frivolous entertainment, but to educate and inspire them to live a good life. In response, Turkish producers have had to walk a fine line between artistic freedom and dealing with conservative sensibilities. Some dramas considered too liberal are currently banned in some Gulf countries.
Finally, Turkey's leadership in Islamic television drama production is driven by commercial acumen and cultural affinity with Muslim audiences, but controversy over content remains. Turkish novelists will need to balance artistic goals with addressing conservative concerns in order to maintain broad appeal and influence in the Islamic world. Maintaining this balance will be an ongoing challenge for Turkey, which is the largest exporter of Muslim-friendly entertainment.
Revenues from Islamic dramas are increasing, with Islamic countries around the world, including Pakistan, Malaysia, and Arab countries, becoming major buyers of Turkish-produced Islamic dramas. Turkish businessmen are making huge profits from it.
