VIDEO: TV ‘summoning genie session’ sparks debate on Turkish social media

ISTANBUL

A “summoning genie session” shown live on a private broadcaster has sparked ridicule on social media in Turkey.

The TV show “City and Human,” which is broadcast on small satellite TV station “Yaşam TV,” hosted as a guest a man named Mehmet Alkan, who claimed that he was actually a “warlock.”

Alkan first of all burned a piece of paper on a spirit stove, saying a prayer in Arabic and Turkish. He then claimed that he had started receiving messages from genies, after which he started shaking and losing control of his body.

The presenter and producers of the show did not intervene in the situation, saying Alkan was OK and had simply fallen into a trance. 

After footage of the broadcast emerged online, many Turkish social media users shared the bizarre scenes and raised questions about the show, with many making jokes but others criticizing “irresponsible broadcasting.”