Tash Ma Tash has not only grabbed the attention of television viewers inside the Kingdom, it has also caught the attention of the French newspaper Le Monde Diplomatique.
According to Alarabiya.net, the French newspaper described Tash Ma Tash as an invitation for change and a source of contempt within the conservative section of Saudi society. Taking this into consideration it really would be correct to assume that the forces opposing change within the Kingdom are the very ones that are the most vehement in opposition to this satirical comedy series. This is definitely the case, especially since the series has aired various episodes featuring the conservative sections of society.
Conservatives in the Kingdom have a history of opposing all genres of art, including novels, poetry and drama — they consider them to be corrupting people’s religious and moral ethics. Tash Ma Tash has however received the biggest share of the attacks and criticisms of conservatives. The conservatives argue that the series consists of certain sorts of behavior that are considered to be sinful. They also say the program glorifies vice, defames the truth and drives people away from performing virtuous deeds. The opposition forces cannot be satisfied by just forbidding and criminalizing the series and its actors, rather they even try to make the audience feel guilty.
I have some personal criticisms of the series and the way issues in some episodes are exaggerated. However, there are also positive aspects to the program — Tash Ma Tash has been a useful tool in highlighting the diseases that are prevalent in Saudi society. Therefore, I agree with Nasser Al-Qasabi who said that the program has provoked public debate and that itself is proof of the strong impact the program is having on society.
It is only normal that when people stir stagnant water fungus would appear on the surface from below.
But we have to endure whatever the stirring brings up — this is the least we can do. This is the only way we can prepare ourselves to establish a healthy atmosphere of mature dialogue. Therefore, in spite of the many negatives we find in Tash Ma Tash we still find that the program adds various positive things to the Saudi drama, cultural and art scene.
Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Al-Obaikan said in a recent article in Asharq Al-Awsat, “Tash is a very good and beneficial program regardless of all the religious controversy and criticism. Scholars’ attacks and their calls to ban it are strange and unjustified.”
