Screengrab from Youtube
ISTANBUL, Turkey – A star Turkish television host’s interview with a theologian went viral on social media Saturday after the presenter collapsed into laughter when the religion expert soberly explained how “advanced” oral sex was proscribed under Islam.
Pelin Cift, presenting her show late Friday on state-run television’s main channel TRT 1, kept a straight face as theologian Ali Riza Demircan explained what sexual practices were “haram” (forbidden) for Muslims under Islam.
Resting her hand on her chin, she listened as Demircan said in a monotone voice that anal sex, let alone sadism, were not allowed for couples.
But already trying not to laugh, she could no longer restrain herself when Demircan went on to declare in the same monotone that “oral sex in advanced dimensions” between couples was also “haram”.
Cift collapsed into laughter with her hand pressed to her face, much to the astonishment of Demircan who said: “Pelin, sister, you had been talking so comfortably. But now you can’t even ask a question!”
Demircan is a hugely prominent theologian in Turkey and also the father of the mayor of Istanbul’s Beyoglu district Ahmet Misbah Demircan.
The baffled Islam expert asked the presenter: “What’s your problem with me?”
By now almost unable to speak for laughing, Cift, one of Turkey’s best known presenters, asked the theologian: “What’s your problem, my dear hoca!” using an Islamic term of respect for a teacher.
The incident from the show called the “Other Agenda” went viral on social media, with one Twitter user posting a picture of himself in a locked iron mask to protect himself, he said, from “advanced oral sex”.
Another suggested that “advanced oral sex” could be a qualification to go on a CV.
“You can follow every kind of tough religious obligation but then go to hell because of advanced oral sex,” quipped another Twitter user damon.
Provocative statements by Turkish theologians on sex provide regular amusement for secular bloggers in the country.
In May, a Muslim tele-evangelist caused howls of amusement by saying masturbating men would meet their pregnant hands in the afterlife.