Muslim cleric warns 'cucumbers too sexy for women'

Published Dec 9 2011, 20:44 GMT  |  By Hugh Armitage

An Islamic cleric in Europe has reportedly banned women from handling cucumbers.

The unnamed cleric has warned that cucumbers, bananas and other similarly shaped produce causes "sexual thoughts" in women, according to Fox News.

The directive, published in el-Senousa, a religious magazine, purportedly says that a third party - preferably a male relative - should cut the items into small pieces if a woman wishes to eat them.

The news has caused anger among liberal Muslims, who responded in a rush of protest and mockery online, while questions have arisen surrounding the truth of the reports and the validity of the statement.

"Many of the commentators are Muslims themselves, who have expressed their anger against the cleric for making Islamic religious practices appear unreasonable," said The International Business Times.

Danish/Lebanese journalist Helen Hajjij said on Twitter: "So if Muslim women should stay away from cucumbers and bananas, should men stay away from melons?"

Carrots and courgettes were also identified as perilous vegetables.

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