Astrologist Predicts the End of the World, Cleric Assaults Him with a Shoe

An Egyptian TV debate turned violent when Egyptian cleric Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah accused astrologist Ahmad Shaheen of being a charlatan and of claiming that he was a god. Shaheen, who predicted on the show that the world would come to an end in 2037, remained impassive as his counterpart threatened him with a shoe. The TV host tried to calm Al-Mallah down and hold him back, as he challenged Shaheen: "If you are really clairvoyant, arrange for a car to run over me!" The show aired on Alhadas Elyoum on May 27, 2016.

Astrologist Ahmad Shaheen: There are certain parties that do not want what I predict to come true. Some things are better left hidden. You yourself said that my predictions have turned the world upside-down. Many things have been said about me - charlatan, quack, and so on - but I don't care.

[...]

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: Everybody knows that you have declared yourself a god. You have said: "I am thy Lord." That is what you said. You declared yourself a god.

Astrologist Ahmad Shaheen: Not true.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: You said that you are clairvoyant.

Astrologist Ahmad Shaheen: Not true.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: You posted pictures on the Internet and wrote that the Quran came down upon you. Did the Quran come down upon you or not?

[...]

Astrologist Ahmad Shaheen: Many people believe me, and my quotes are all over the Internet.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: Nobody believes you. Don't roll the blame on the public!

Astrologist Ahmad Shaheen: People know that I am for real because my predictions have come true.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: Speak for yourself...

Astrologist Ahmad Shaheen: The world will come to an end in 2037.

[...]

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: If you give me correct answers to my questions, I will concede that you are clairvoyant.

Astrologist Ahmad Shaheen: It's beneath me to answer you.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: Did you hear that?! He said it's beneath him... Beneath you?! You have no honor! You are insolent! You are insolent!

Moderator: It was you who threw a pen at him...

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: And I'll beat him with my shoe too. He affronts Islam and the Quran. He is a charlatan.

Moderator: He did not affront Islam.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: Really?! He declared himself a god! You declared yourself a god. You deceive people.

Astrologist Ahmad Shaheen: This is your idea of an Islamic preacher?! Call me whatever you like, but he is no Islamic preacher. He is the best example of the distortion of the image of Islam.

[...]

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: You are insolent and have no honor. I swear by Allah, I'm going to beat you with my shoe.

Astrologist Ahmad Shaheen: I have plenty of honor, like it or not. Go on, seek some publicity.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: I swear by Allah, here is my shoe...

Moderator: I ask you, Sheikh Mohammad...

Astrologist Ahmad Shaheen: I swear by Allah, I'm going to beat you with my shoe. You have no honor.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah gets up from his seat with his shoe in hand and heads towards Ahmad Shaheen. The moderator tries to protect him with his body.

Moderator: People, this is unacceptable! Sheikh Mohammad, this is unacceptable!

The moderator leads Al-Mallah back to his seat.

Moderator: This is unacceptable! I beg you...

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: I won't dignify you with an answer...

Moderator: I have to end the show.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: You insulted me at the beginning of the show...

Moderator: I beg you... Please don't...

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: If you were a real man...

The moderator wards Al-Mallah off with his body, protecting Shaheen

Moderator: People are watching you, Sheikh Mohammad.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: You declared yourself a god. You called on people to worship you. What kind of people would worship someone like you?! You declared yourself a god. You? Clairvoyant? Nonsense! If you are really clairvoyant, arrange for a car to run over me! If you are really clairvoyant, tell me how I will die. If you are really clairvoyant, tell me what my uncle works in. If you are really clairvoyant - what is the size of our host's overdraft? Let me tell you one last thing: If he had known that I'd be on the show, he wouldn't have come. If he were truly clairvoyant, he would not have come to be confronted by me. He is not clairvoyant. He is a charlatan and a quack.

Moderator: Sheikh Mohammad, please sit down.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Mallah: I will not sit down with a quack.

Moderator: I apologize that I have to end the show standing up. I want to thank our viewers. I wanted to conduct a debate that would benefit the people. I wanted to conduct a debate that would benefit the people.

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