Cover title. Includes bibliographical references (pages 201-218) and index.
Contents:
Introduction -- A Background of Religious Programming in Pakistan -- The Production, Ownership, and Control of Religious Television Shows -- Doctrinal Activism and Religious Television -- Religious Authority and Control over Religious Knowledge -- Self-Styled Scholars and Religious Show Hosts: Emerging Sources of Religious Authority -- Changing Viewer Assessments of Religious Authority -- Redefining the Boundaries for Critical Deliberation in Islamic Public Debate -- Conclusion.
Summary:
"In Pakistan, religious talk shows emerged as a popular television genre following the 2002 media liberalization reforms. Since then, these shows have become important platforms where ideas about Islam and religious authority in Pakistan are developed and argued. In Religious Television and Pious Authority in Pakistan, Taha Kazi reveals how these talk shows mediate changes in power, belief, and practice. She also identifies the sacrifices and compromises that religious scholars feel compelled to make in order to ensure their presence on television. These scholars, of varying doctrinal and educational backgrounds-including madrasa-educated scholars and self-taught celebrity preachers-are given screen time to debate and issue religious edicts on the authenticity and contemporary application of Islamic concepts and practices. In response, viewers are sometimes allowed to call in live with questions. Kazi maintains that these featured debates inspire viewers to reevaluate the status of scholarly edicts, thereby fragmenting religious authority. By exploring how programming decisions inadvertently affect viewer engagements with Islam, Religious Television and Pious Authority in Pakistan looks beyond the revivalist impact of religious media and highlights the prominence of religious talk shows in disrupting expectations about faith"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.