The Pakistan Day celebrations at Parade Avenue in Islamabad, which took place on March 25 caught everyone’s attention this year for a different reason. The unusual thing that happened was a performance by a Turkish musical band, who played the theme song of Diriliş: Ertuğrul’s on the occasion.
Referring to the performance, a Twitter user said: “You think the Turks secretly laugh at our unhealthy obsession with Ertuğrul?”
While the tweet was meant to be humorous tweet, it started a debate on whether Pakistani culture reflects India or Turkey given most Pakistanis have grown up watching Bollywood.
you think the Turks secretly laugh at our unhealthy obsession with Ertegrul?
— Husn Hai Suhana (@Fatmounh) March 25, 2021
“Don’t know is it unhealthy? The whole country obsesses over Bollywood, a propaganda industry for a country that’s been trying to destabilize us for decades. I think a little Ertugrul is nothing in comparison,” said one Twitter user.
Dunno…is it unhealthy? The whole country obsesses over Bollywood, a propaganda industry for a country that’s been trying to destabilize us for decades. I think a little Ertugrul is nothing in comparison. https://t.co/ZWqvj1kwNB
— Imperial Nexus Fyter✊? (@cereal_twit) March 25, 2021
Another user said: “We are obsessed with Bollywood because it has not been a century since Pakistan and India have been parted. We share the language and culture with them. Idk what do we have in common with Turks though.”
We are obsessed with Bollywood because It’s not been a century since Pakistan and India have been parted. We share the language and culture with them. Idk what do we have in common with Turks tho. https://t.co/WpxldDX8ve
— Risham Fatima (@rishamfs) March 26, 2021
Check out some more tweets over the debate here:
Maybe the Indians secretly laugh too when we dance on their songs in our weddings and shows. But hey, isn’t the only problem with Ertugrul it talking about religion?
— رمله (@guzelrumz) March 26, 2021
Shafqat Mahmood please work on curriculum of schools & colleges. The kids on Twitter think we share culture with Turkey and don’t share anything with India.
— خراب عورت (@KharabAurat) March 26, 2021
These kids really need to learn their history before they start saying that even the existing Pakistan culture is fake.
Can't believe that our culture is so similar to turk culture and we almost speak the same languages. India who?
— мехвиш ? (@carpedisk) March 26, 2021
Ertugrul ko dub kerna parra tha, Kal Ho Naa Ho ko nahin. https://t.co/8H25H9u4qJ
— Aimun (@bluemagicboxes) March 26, 2021
Will tell my kids this is subcontinent. pic.twitter.com/FnHVqcPQ8q
— Risham Fatima (@rishamfs) March 26, 2021
I watched an episode of Ertugrul once. Now I share common history and culture with Turks. pic.twitter.com/ZTNINS7Zqu
— ? (@hybridchicKk) March 26, 2021
india is a multi-ethnic society. there is no 'indian ethnicity' that we all share. we just lived together in hundreds of different areas, with our own ancestors, languages, customs & traditions. a short span of the British raj doesn't mean that we were all a nation at any point
— A (@zsadb) March 26, 2021
Bhai Ertugrul walon ka phone aya tha keh rahay thay hammay maaf kar dou bohot bari ghalti hoo gaye
— ıɐzlɐdod ɹɐʎɹəɥɐɥs ? (@spopalzai) March 26, 2021
Turkey about to get a restraining order out against Pakistan because this is turning into one unhealthy obsession.
— Usman (@UsmanAhmad_iam) March 26, 2021