Islamic cleric bans women touching bananas and cucumbers (updated)

From Bikya Masr:

An Islamic cleric residing in Europe said that women should not be close to bananas or cucumbers, in order to avoid any “sexual thoughts.”

The unnamed sheikh, who was featured in an article on el-Senousa news, was quoted saying that if women wish to eat these food items, a third party, preferably a male related to them such as their a father or husband, should cut the items into small pieces and serve.

He said that these fruits and vegetables “resemble the male penis” and hence could arouse women or “make them think of sex.”

He also added carrots and zucchini to the list of forbidden foods for women.

The sheikh was asked how to “control” women when they are out shopping for groceries and if holding these items at the market would be bad for them. The cleric answered saying this matter is between them and God.

Answering another question about what to do if women in the family like these foods, the sheikh advised the interviewer to take the food and cut it for them in a hidden place so they cannot see it.

The opinion has stirred a storm of irony and denouncement among Muslims online, with hundreds of comments mocking the cleric.

One reader said that these religious “leaders” give Islam “a bad name” and another commented said that he is a “retarded” person and he must quit his post immediately.

No word on whether men may touch cantaloupes or watermelons.

Then again, perhaps Muslim  men shouldn't be handling guns either.

(h/t DoZ)

UPDATE: Some have been doubting the story, saying they couldn't find the original Arabic news story. Bikya Masr updated the post with the link to As Sawsana where the article was. The cleric is still unnamed, so it is still a little dubious, but it is funny.