Saudi sheikh behind 'woman have 'quarter of a brain'' banned from giving sermons

MENA

Published: 2017-09-22 14:49

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 11:41


Sheikh Saad Al Hajari has been banned from giving religious sermons following his comments. (Photo Credit: SNA)
 Sheikh Saad Al Hajari has been banned from giving religious sermons following his comments. (Photo Credit: SNA)

Hailing from Saudi Arabia's Assir governorate, Sheikh Saad Al Hajari caused a stir earlier this week when he said "women don't deserve to drive because they only have a quarter of a brain."

The Saudi twittersphere exploded in anger over Hajari's sexist and factually incorrect statements, which the Saudi government responded to this morning. 

Assir governorate's Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdel Aziz issued an order which banning Hajari from all "preaching activies".  

"This ban aims to send a message to anyone who uses platforms available to them to denigrate people or stir up controversy," stated the order. 

Hajari's statement comes at a crucial time for Saudi women, as the debate on their ability to drive intensifies.