It’s interesting to see the ethnic / nationalistic war between Turks (Ottoman’s) and Arabs going on, over the Turkish drama Ertugrul.  It reflects the Asabiya (nationalism) resentment that has existed ever since the Ottoman’s took the Caliphate from the Mamluks/Abbasid Caliphate.

Also more importantly so, it’s an historical fallout during the rise of various forms of contemporary Turkish nationalisms in the 19th and 20th century, eventually leading to an equivalent rise in contemporary Arab nationalism.  This is a fascinating period of Muslim history, and there are different versions.  I hope the Arab world produces its own drama versions of the history/mythology, and I will watch that with equal critical interest.

There is no doubt that Ertugrul has a nationalistic and mythological element to it. Kashmiri journalist Najeeb Mubaraki compared it to Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata in the mid-80s, which contributed to rising Hindu Nationalist sentiments which we now see in power in India.

Interestingly, both Turkish and Arab communities don’t have a problem watching Bollywood movies!

We Muslim’s from the Indian subcontinent are at an advantage, our religion, culture, customs,  language, history have been inherited and shaped by Arabs, Turks, Persians, Mongols and Indian and even the British.  Muslim Mughal rule was also independent of all. We can watch and appreciate drama’s and versions of history from all without getting too emotional, and keep a critical eye, I hope!