Saudi cleric in hot water over underestimating, abusing women

CAIRO – 23 September 2017: A Saudi cleric was suspended Thursday following disparaging remarks on women in a lecture discussing why women should not drive.

Sheikh Saad Al-Hijri, a member of the Asir province’s religious jurisprudence committee, gave a lecture in the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait concerning women titled “20 problems result from women driving” during which he said that a woman only has “a quarter of a mind.”

Triggering public opinion on social media, Asir governor Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz immediately decided to ban Hijri from all preaching activities, Spokesman for the governorate of Asir Saad bin Abdullah al-Thabet said in a press statement.

“This measure aims to counter whatever arouses public opinion and put an end to all those who misuse advocacy forums to submit inter-community controversial views and perspectives that undervalue the human worth,” Thabet added.

This ruling will also include “whoever attempts to exploit advocacy forums and activities to present private views and perspectives that do not serve the national interest,” he confirmed.