Turkish Religious Leaders Debate 'Advanced Oral Sex' And Islam

Popular Turkish Muslim televangelist Ahmet Mahmut Ünlü wants to set the record straight by refuting the comments made by noted Islam expert Ali Riza Demircan, who claimed that “advanced oral sex” was a forbidden act under the Islamic religion. Ünlü says the Quran does not stipulate anywhere that oral sex is illegal.

“Do not invent a lie on behalf of Allah,” Ünlü, known more commonly as Cübbeli Ahmet Hoca, told viewers of his televised sermon, according to Turkish newspaper Hürriyet Daily News. “Brothers, let’s speak frankly: [Islam’s] Shafi’i sect allows this act, as it considers human semen a clean substance,” he said, adding that though the Hanafi sect does claim that semen is dirty, the act of oral sex is not.

Last week, a conversation about religion between television host Pelin Çift and Demircan deviated when Demircan delved into what sexual practices were deemed haram -- or forbidden -- under Islam during a program on a state-run television channel. Demircan declared “advanced oral sex” was one of them, along with anal sex and other “sadistic sexual acts.” Demircan said that engaging in these acts, even between married couples, is considered haram for Muslims.

“No Islamic jurisprudence calls it a haram act, but some find it inappropriate. So, how can [Demircan] say that it is haram? What is your source?” Ünlü said.

Ünlü is reportedly known to be a humorous and edgier televangelist who is willing to touch on sensitive or controversial topics, like sex, that more traditional religious leaders would typically stay away from.

Conversation over Demircan’s comments lit up Turkish social media, with many people poking fun at the awkward and unexpected conversation about the intimate acts.

“Advanced oral sex sounds like an item on one’s CV,” a user named @deriyok_toska tweeted, according to a separate Hürriyet Daily News report.