TV Host Rima Karaki Gives Epic Smackdown Of Scholar Who Says It's 'Beneath Him' To Be Interviewed By Her

Amazing Moment Female TV Host Owns Scholar Who Said She's 'Beneath Him'

A TV host cut off an Islamist scholar live on air after he told her to "shut up" so he could talk, and said it was "beneath him" to be interviewed by her.

Rima Karaki, of Lebanese TV station Al-Jadeed, held the interview in Arabic with London-based Muslim scholar Doctor Hani Al-Siba'i, who was convicted by the Egyptian government of being part of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad group and fled to the UK.

She was hoping to hear his thoughts on a recent wave of Christians joining Islamic State.

But she found herself in a bitter argument instead, as he meandered off topic and then shouted rude remarks at her when she tried to tell him they would run out time for the interview.

Going on a historical tangent, Al-Siba'i detailed the history of Christians joining Islamic groups. breaking into a lengthy list of left-wing groups he claimed had encouraged Christians to do this in the past.

"Do not call me names" said the presenter

Karaki interrupted him, saying "Let's focus on the present. At present, what slogans are used to attract (Christians) to these groups?"

Becoming angry, Al-Siba'i said: "Listen, don't cut me off. I will answer as I please. I will not answer the way you like, because I am here to serve the idea in which I believe."

Karaki raised her hand to him, saying "Just a second... we respect..."

But the scholar cuts her off saying: "What kind of behaviour is this?"

"Please don't get all worked up," says Karaki calmly, "We respect you and know you want to give a complete answer. Unfortunately, we have limited time" before asking him to "go on."

But the scholar then lashes out at her: "You think you are so high and mighty?'

"Go on, but do not call me names," Karaki says, adding: "In this studio, I run the show. For your own benefit I am telling you that we are running out of time. If you are going to elaborate so much, we won't have time for other questions. I we start discussing history, we won't have enough time for our topic. Now, it's up to you. If we have time, you will answer all the questions, but I will be the one to decide."

"You can decide as much as you like, but I will do whatever I want," Al-Siba'i replied.

Karaki tried again to end the argument and return to the topic, before Al-Siba'i said: "Are you done? Shut up so I can talk."

"How can a respected sheik like yourself tell a TV host to shut up?" Karaki asked. "I am respected whether you like it or not," he responded, before Karaki waved her hand, saying "Enough. Let's wrap this up."

The scholar continued: "It is beneath me to be interviewed by you, you are a woman who.."

But, in a final flourish, Karaki interrupted him again, saying "Either there is mutual respect, or the conversation is over."

And then, as the camera cut out, it was indeed over.

Close

What's Hot