Islamic Theologian: ‘Advanced Oral Sex’ Has Driven up Turkish Divorce Rates

An Islamic theologian has become the brunt of countless jokes on social media after comments he made regarding oral sex live on late night Turkish television.

Ali Riza Demircan, a well-known theologian, was on Turkish state television’s late-night show when he said that “advanced oral sex,” “sadistic sexual acts,” and “anal sex” are forbidden by Islam, and their prevalence is the cause of the increased number of divorces.

The show’s hostess, Pelin Çiftçi, could barely hold back her laughter at Demircan’s outspokenness about sexuality.

“Pelin, sister, you had been talking so comfortably. But now you can’t even ask a question!” Demircan said after the hostess began laughing so hard she could barely speak.

He defended his bluntness by saying that Muslims should speak the truth, even when it might be difficult or embarrassing.

Some on Twitter took to mocking Demircan shortly after his comments. One user posted a picture of a man with a cage around his head, presumably to prevent “advanced oral sex.”

Secular bloggers and social media users often find reasons to poke fun at Islamic televangelists in Turkey. In May, Islamic cleric Mücahid Cihad Han was asked by a viewer what Muslims believe about masturbation. After telling him that masturbation is considered “haram,” which means forbidden, Han then claimed that the man’s hands would be “pregnant” in the afterlife. “Moreover, one hadith states that those who have sexual intercourse with their hands will find their hands pregnant in the afterlife, complaining against them to God over its rights,” the televangelist said. Han’s remarks also were widely mocked on Twitter.