'In this studio, I run the show': Lebanese TV host stands up to sexist Islamic scholar

In an interview with London-based Islamist Hani Al-Seba’i, TV host Rima Karaki of Lebanon’s news channel Al Jadeed, stood her ground and asked Seba’i to stop talking until he ceased to make derogatory comments. As they were discussing reports of Christians joining Islamic groups such as ISIS, Seba’i went off on a historical tangent steering away from the question he was asked. Upon asking him to answer directly due to lack of time, Karaki was subject to rude comments such as: “Shut up, so I can talk” and “It is beneath me to be interviewed by you. You are a woman who…” [caption id=“attachment_2143725” align=“alignleft” width=“385”] Youtube grab of the footage.[/caption] Karaki cut off the scholar immediately by saying, “Just one second. Either there is mutual respect or this conversation is over.” The footage of the interview reveals that Seba’i was repeated interrupted by Karaki reminding him to maintain mutual respect. She also explained to him that they were running out of time and that he should stick to the question asked. Seba’i replied with: “You can decide as much as you like, but I will do whatever I want.’ It is at this point that Karaki told the scholar that this was a news studio, and she ran the show. The interview ended with Seba’i walking out of the studio. Karaki later posted the video on her Twitter feed, which went viral and generated much support towards her. The video now has 2 million + views.

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