Lebanese television host Rima Karaki had a tense interview with London-based Islamic scholar and sheikh Hani Al-Siba'i in a video published last week.
The conversation quickly deteriorated after Karaki reminded her guest that they were pressed for time, eventually leading Al-Siba'i to tell her to "shut up."
The Al-Jadeed/New TV reporter attempted to discuss reports of Christians joining the Islamic State (IS), but Al-Siba'i began discussing the broader subject of the historical influence of Christians in the Middle East.
"Dr. Al-Siba'i, let's focus on the present," Karaki interrupted. "At present, what slogans are used to attract (Christians) to these groups?" she asked, according to a translation by MEMRI-TV.
"Listen, don't cut me off," the visibly upset sheikh responded, shaking his finger at the camera. "I will answer as I please.
"I will not answer the way you like, because I'm here to serve the idea in which I believe."
Karaki tried to calm him by saying that the channel respected him, and wanted him to give a complete answer, but they were limited in time during the broadcast. Al-Siba'i referenced speaking to an Ibrahim Harbi in regards to not being cut off during the interview, and Karaki said that his camera time would be extended.
She urged him to continue his thoughts on the matter of Christians joining IS, but her guest became increasingly upset.
"You think you are so high and mighty?!" he exclaimed.
"Go on, but do not call me names," Karaki warned. "In this studio, I run the show," she continued. "For your own benefit, I'm 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."
Karaki added that it would be her decision whether they would discuss other topics, based upon the length of Al-Siba'i's answers.
"You can decide as much as you like, but I will do whatever I want," he quipped.
After the host urged him to return to the subject rather than "waste time arguing," Al-Siba'i was incensed.
"Are you done? Shut up, so I can talk," he responded.
"How can a respected sheikh like yourself tell a TV host to shut up?!" a stunned Karaki asked.
"I am respected whether you like it or not," Al-Siba'i answered.
Karaki said she had had enough, and told the scholar to wrap up his statements. Al-Siba'i had one more insult to throw, however.
"It's beneath me to be interviewed by you," he began. "You are a woman who..."
The man's microphone was cut off, and his feed was cut.
"Just one second," Karaki told the cameras. "Either there is mutual respect, or the conversation is over."
