Journalist Umar Cheema slams Samaa for allowing misogynistic behavior

 JournalismPakistan.com
 June 30, 2024

ISLAMABAD—Journalist Umar Cheema has condemned the behavior of public speaker Sahil Adeem and playwright Khalil ur Rehman Qamar during a recent dialogue hosted by Samaa TV. He termed their attitude as "highly shameful" after the two individuals harshly confronted and insulted a young woman on the show.

In a post on X, Cheema criticized the TV channel's administration for enabling what he termed as "highly shameful behavior." He held Samaa TV accountable for bringing the two men on stage to degrade women.

The incident began when the woman asked Sahil to apologize for his comment that 95 percent of Pakistani women are ignorant. Instead of apologizing, Sahil reiterated his claim, calling her "ignorant" for not knowing the meaning of the word "Taghoot." As the woman persisted in demanding an apology, Sahil mockingly stated, "I apologize for the fact that my daughter is ignorant." He further recited verses from the Holy Quran, implying that those who know and those who do not are not equal.

The situation escalated when Khalil ur Rehman angrily intervened, accusing the woman of disrespecting the Quranic verses and demanding the microphone be taken away from her.

Sahil Adeem has faced criticism recently for his dismissive comments about former Prime Minister Imran Khan's cricketing achievements and his stance on the Israel-Palestine issue. In another interaction, he was challenged by a young woman who credited Khan with politically awakening Pakistan's youth. On social media, Sahil is known as a public speaker, consultant, YouTuber, and preacher.

Khalil ur Rehman is infamous for his controversial views regarding women. During the Samaa Digital show "Makalma with Khalil ur Rehman Qamar," hosted by Ayesha Jahanzeb, he stated, "Take a sample of 100 women, 95 out of them will be ignorant, not knowing anything. This is reality."