The governor of Asir province in southern Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz, has suspended a religious preacher from leading prayers and giving Friday sermons and lectures after he claimed that women were only slightly capable of thinking.
A spokesperson for the governor said that Prince Faisal took the decision in response to angry reactions on social media following the lecture by Saad Al Hajari, according to a report in Gulf News.
In his lecture entitled “20 Reasons Not to Allow Women to Drive”, Al Hajari said that women had only half a brain and could not think properly.
He added that the 50 per cent dwindles to 25 per cent when women go shopping.
“Now, who is the traffic official who would give a driving licence to a driver with only 25 per cent of thinking aptitude?” he asked the audience, trying to elicit their approval for his argument.
“Anyone who uses religious platforms to make claims that do not serve the public welfare and the higher interests of the nation will come under such a decision,” the spokesperson said.
Most online users welcomed the governor’s decision, saying that he was contributing to the unity and cohesion of the society.