Screengrab from Youtube
ISTANBUL, Turkey 鈥� A star Turkish television host鈥檚 interview with a theologian went viral on social media Saturday after the presenter collapsed into laughter when the religion expert soberly explained how 鈥渁dvanced鈥� oral sex was proscribed under Islam.
Pelin Cift, presenting her show late Friday on state-run television鈥檚 main channel TRT 1, kept a straight face as theologian Ali Riza Demircan explained what sexual practices were 鈥渉aram鈥� (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 鈥渙ral sex in advanced dimensions鈥� between couples was also 鈥渉aram鈥�.
Cift collapsed into laughter with her hand pressed to her face, much to the astonishment of Demircan who said: 鈥淧elin, sister, you had been talking so comfortably. But now you can鈥檛 even ask a question!鈥�
Demircan is a hugely prominent theologian in Turkey and also the father of the mayor of Istanbul鈥檚 Beyoglu district Ahmet Misbah Demircan.
The baffled Islam expert asked the presenter: 鈥淲hat鈥檚 your problem with me?鈥�
By now almost unable to speak for laughing, Cift, one of Turkey鈥檚 best known presenters, asked the theologian: 鈥淲hat鈥檚 your problem, my dear hoca!鈥� using an Islamic term of respect for a teacher.
The incident from the show called the 鈥淥ther Agenda鈥� 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 鈥渁dvanced oral sex鈥�.
Another suggested that 鈥渁dvanced oral sex鈥� could be a qualification to go on a CV.
鈥淵ou can follow every kind of tough religious obligation but then go to hell because of advanced oral sex,鈥� 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.