Dirili: Erturul.

Byline: Khaled - Islamabad

APROPOS the letters (May 22 and 23). True that the local TV channels are pouring out soap operas that desire a lot of improvement to compete at the international level, but that does not mean that we outright reject and condemn them across the board.

It is believed that Ertugrul played a significant role in Turkish history. In fact, he was the father of Osman I, founder of the Ottoman dynasty. However, according to historians nothing is known about Ertugrul's life in the absence of recorded history, except that he died in 1280.

There are two different versions about the name of his father. One tradition says he was the son of Suleyman Shah. Another one gives his father's name as Gunduz Alp. Coins minted in the Osman I reign bear the following inscription. 'Osman, son of Ertugrul, son of Gunduz Alp'. The stories associated with him were written a century later by the latter Ottomans. Thus authenticity has to be ascertained while following these fictional episodes.

Coming to the present times, Prime Minister Imran Khan has advised that the play should be watched for inspiration and to refresh ourselves with Islamic history. Agreed, but how would that add value to our history or resolve our identity crisis in the present times?

Every nation usually...