Tasavvufî Şahsiyetlerin Medya Yoluyla Tanıtılması: TRT Mavera Dizisi Örneği
Promotion of Sufi Personalities through the Media: The Case of TRT’s Serial Mavera

Summary/Abstract: In recent years, there has been an increase in Turkey’s production, and release of historical serials. These serials have been very popular, and begun to be broadcast in other countries as well. Turkish series are among the popular, and followed series. Resurrection: Ertuğrul, the Ottoman, Yunus Emre can be cited as examples of these serials. It could normally be difficult, and tiring to learn a historical phenomenon involving cause, and effect relationships. Therefore, it is not always easy to explain, and introduce prominent personalities in the history of Islam to the new generations accurately. For this reason, depicting the lives of personalities in TV series, particularly introducing unknown people, can provide positive results. It is commonly known that real-life stories are watched with more interest than fictional ones. It is thought that introducing the personalities who significantly contributed to the spread of Islam to the younger generations through serials could be effective in the moral education, and transformation of the younger generation. Therefore, the contents of serials are critical. The message intended to be given in the serials leads to effective, and permanent learning as it simultaneously addresses the auditory, and visual memories. In this study, the introduction of Sufi personalities through the media is discussed, particularly with respect to the Mavera series broadcast on TRT. Qualitative research method was used in the study. In addition, quantitative data, limited to the viewing rates, were used. The series Mavera is about the life story of the Sufi-poet Ahmad Yasawī (d. 562/1166), who significantly impacted Turkish society. The series, which was first shown during Ramadan in 2021, consists of twenty-six episodes. The serial begins with Ahmad Yasawī’s being sent to Baghdad by his sheikh on the duty of guidance. In this serial, his personality, purpose of life, mission, belief, values,, and approach to people are depicted for the audience in an impressive, and instructive style. The serial shows how hearts are conquered with love, and how those on the wrong path can change, and transform. The serial effectively describes Hace’s relationship with people, his tolerance, embracing attitudes, compassion, approach to the enemy,, and struggle. It is possible to see, and learn about the good examples of Islamic morality in TV serials, and to express one’s opinion on them. Today, it seems possible to take unknown or alienated mystical concepts from dictionaries, and visualize them through the media. Just as a negative character leaves negative traces on the audience, it is expected that the promotion of strong characters who accomplished important missions in the history of Islam could leave positive traces on the society. If the personalities in the serials are described using the right scenarios, it is easier to obtain positive results.

• Details
• Contents