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Internet chatting by men, women is taboo: Scholar

Sheikh Abdulah Al Mutlaq called on women to avoid talking with men through social networking sites.

Social networking websites in the GCC were flooded with discussions and criticism after a member of the Senior Scholars Committee in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdulah Al Mutlaq, said chatting between men and women on social networking sites, especially when they are alone, is considered taboo (khalwa) and is prohibited.

In his fatwa, which sparked an uproar among users of social networking sites, he said chatting between men and women through the Internet is khalwa (man being alone with a woman). He justified it by saying that talks between the two would become personal, and only Allah knew what was going on between them. He called on women to avoid talking with men through social networking sites.

The fatwa of Sheikh Al Mutlaq echoed on Twitter and the views varied. A number of supporters agreed with Sheikh Al Mutlaq. Some likened it with the opinion of the late Sheikh Abdullah bin Jabreen who said no man is allowed to correspond with a foreign woman as that leads to seduction. The one who sends the message might think it is not a seduction, but Satan will tempt him or her. He regarded the correspondence of young men with young women a serious seduction and great danger which should be avoided.

malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com