A controversial Iraqi TV show has drawn intense criticism after using fake Daesh fighters to stage mock kidnappings of local celebrities. The program, aired during Ramadan, shocked viewers across Iraq and sparked a heated online debate.
The show, titled Tanb Raslan, features actors disguised as Daesh militants who ambush celebrities, pretend to kidnap them, and strap fake suicide bombs to their chests. The guests, unaware of the prank, are forced to their knees and made to believe they are moments away from execution—all while cameras record their emotional reactions.
Fear Turned Into Entertainment
The premise of the show involves celebrities visiting displaced families—families who are said to have fled areas once controlled by Daesh. Upon arrival, however, the celebrities are met with a dramatic and distressing surprise. Armed actors simulate an attack and proceed to terrify the guests by staging fake interrogations, mock executions, and bomb threats.
In one episode, Iraqi footballer Alaa Mhawi was seen breaking down in tears as he begged for his life. In another, Nessma, a 58-year-old actress, fainted after a fake bomb belt was strapped to her waist.
These intense scenes have sparked outrage among Iraqis who still live with the trauma of real extremist violence. Many have taken to social media to express their anger and disbelief.
Hashd Al-Shaabi Linked to Production
Reports suggest that Tanb Raslan is backed by Hashd Al-Shaabi, a state-sponsored paramilitary group that played a major role in driving Daesh out of Iraq. Interestingly, members of the group also appear on the show—not as villains, but as heroes who arrive just in time to rescue the celebrities from their mock captors.
The homes used in the show are set in rural areas outside Baghdad, regions still known to have a presence of Daesh sleeper cells. The choice of location and theme has only intensified the backlash, with critics accusing the producers of crossing a line between entertainment and trauma.
Viewers Voice Their Concern
Online, Iraqis have not held back. Many say the show is insensitive and damaging, especially given the country’s painful history with terrorism.
“This is not entertainment,” tweeted Bilal Al-Mosuli, a resident of Mosul, one of the cities hardest hit by Daesh occupation.
Another user, Ahmed Abderradi, was horrified by the show’s casual references to historical atrocities. He highlighted a scene where a guest was jokingly threatened with being thrown into a river—a clear allusion to the Camp Speicher massacre in 2014, where Daesh executed 1,700 Shiite soldiers and dumped their bodies in the Tigris River.
“Or we can throw guests into a river like the victims of Speicher,” he tweeted with outrage.
A Divided Audience
Not all responses have been entirely negative. Some viewers praised the show’s attempt to highlight the bravery of Iraqi forces, particularly the Hashd Al-Shaabi. But even those who supported the message criticized the method.
“It is possible to show the bravery of the Hashd Al-Shaabi and Iraqi troops without introducing terrorism,” wrote Noor Ghazi, an Iraqi living in the United States.
Others believe the show serves as a stark reminder of what could have happened if Daesh had succeeded. One of the show’s writers, Dargham Abu Rghif, defended the concept in a recent interview.
“The scenes are harsh, but if Daesh had won, artists would have had a far harder life. And all Iraqis, too,” he said.
Ramadan TV Shows Often Push Limits
In Iraq, prank shows are a staple of Ramadan programming, a time when many families gather in the evening to watch television after breaking their fast. These shows often try to attract viewers with high drama and unexpected twists. But Tanb Raslan may have gone too far.
The show’s use of terrorism, even in jest, has opened up a broader conversation about the role of media in post-conflict societies. Many are asking: Where should entertainment draw the line?
For a country still healing from the horrors of extremism, Tanb Raslan has forced Iraqis to confront uncomfortable memories in the name of entertainment.
A Call for Responsibility in Media
As criticism grows, some media experts are calling for stronger regulations on content that deals with sensitive subjects like terrorism. While freedom of expression remains vital, many believe that TV producers have a duty to protect public mental health—especially in a country where millions have experienced war firsthand.
The backlash to Tanb Raslan shows that Iraqis are no longer willing to tolerate shows that exploit national trauma for ratings. Whether or not the program continues to air, it has already left a mark—and a message.
