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A senior Saudi cleric has come under fire after suggesting that women shouldn't be allowed to drive - because 'they have quarter of a brain'.

Sheikh Saad al-Hajari claimed women "lack intellect" in outspoken remarks which have been heavily condemned.

Women have not been allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia for the past 60 years, but the ban continues to be the subject of fierce debate both domestically and internationally.

Making the case against female drivers, the New Arab reports that he asked: "Would you give a man with half an intellect a driving licence?

"So how would you give one to a woman when she has half an intellect?

"And if they go out to the market this gets halved again! So they now have a quarter of an intellect."

(Image: AFP)

The cleric, the head of religious fatwas (edicts) in the southern province of Assir, has been accused of misrepresenting Islam.

Responding to the remarks, Saudi newspaper Sabq reports, Dr Abdullah al-Ghathami said that enemies of Islam "will not find any more deadly in our religion than a man who misdirects texts and misrepresents them".

And critics have not held back in telling the cleric what they thought on Twitter.

One person wrote: "A quarter of a brain contributes to the continuity of humanity, and a full brain contributes to its regression."

Another posted: "Don't they feel shame, talking about their own mothers like this?"

Among those who has criticised the ban on women driving is Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who branded it "unjust".