A Saudi cleric has called for the boycott of an American fast-food chain in the country, slamming its decision to hire female waiting staff, and calling the women "prostitutes.
Al-Arabiya reported tweets in Arabic by Saudi Sheikh Ali Al Mutairi, who was reacting to a number of Saudi tweets calling for the boycott of popular American burger chain, Hardee’s.
Pictures of the Saudi waitresses have been posted online (photo credit: http://www.touchesvelvet.com)
He tweeted: “At the beginning of her shift she’s a waitress. When her shift ends she becomes a prostitute. The more she’s around men the easier it becomes to get closer to her. "
One of his followers posted pictures of some Hardee’s waitresses saying: “These women are all covered up that I wouldn’t look at them, plus if your sister goes to that restaurant would you prefer a man or a woman taking her order?”
Al-arabiya reported that a hashtag was created to discuss the controversy.
Al-Mutairi, who has 5,000 followers replied saying: “In the name of God, I have seen this hashtag and some are asking to apologise because they think I have defamed Hardee’s waitresses – the truth is I warned from the dangers of sexes mixing, at the beginning she is a waitress and in the end they will want her to become a prostitute and between are the devil’s steps”, tweeted the sheikh.
“As for hypocrites who shave their beards and moustache (a common way of describing liberals in Saudi Arabia), there is no apology for them because their zeal isn’t for God."