Rima Karaki was conducting a typical interview on Lebanon’s Al Jadeed TV when a bold move launched her to international stardom.

In the video above, Rina interviews Hani al-Seba'i, an Islamic scholar. Around the first minute things get a little tense when Rina attempts to redirect the Sheikh to her questions, and they continue to grow more uncomfortable as he becomes increasingly frustrated and angry.

Eventually he goes so far as to tell Rina to “shut up” and he claims she is “beneath him.”

Wait for her response- it’s too good, and I don’t want to spoil it.

Rina has been hailed for standing up for women’s rights, but in a Guardian interview she insists it was just a matter of “self respect.”

After the interview, when asked whether the Sheikh was acting out of sexism, Rina responded,

“I can’t go into a person’s inner intent, but what I do know is that the tone was very authoritarian, but maybe this is the way he talks, and his overreaction was inexplicable. I don’t know if perhaps if it was a man, he would not have told him to shut up, but I took it as being disrespectful, whether it was with a woman or if he was a sheikh or whatever his background is. To me it has nothing to do with religion, or political line, it has to do with manners and ethics.”

What is sexism? This exchange sounded like it to me, but who knows. What I do know is that Hani al-Seba'i did a great disservice to himself and his community by perpetuating a negative stereotype through his actions. Muslim men are commonly characterized as being sexist, misogynistic, and controlling, and his actions fit easily into that narrative. By disrespecting his host, he likely confirmed many viewer’s beliefs about Muslim men. I just hope more people will remember he only represents one man: himself.

We all share responsibility in having a more inclusive attitude toward everyone including women and Muslims (For more on that check out my colleague Farah Momen's piece on this issue). 

To support women around the world, sign the petition on this content piece to make sure women have the same rights and priviliges as men.