Saudi writer says women in mixed workplace should be molested

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 29 (UPI) -- A Saudi writer who says working women should be sexually molested has stirred an Internet debate among both his critics and supporters.

Abdullah Mohammad Al Dawood, who writes self-help books, has pushed his #harass_female_cashiers campaign to force women to stay home to protect their chastity, Gulf News reported Wednesday.

In Twitter messages, Al Dawood has urged his 97,000 followers to sexually molest women hired to work as grocery store cashiers.

His messages are part of a conservative backlash to social and economic reforms introduced by the Saudi government.

A conservative cleric, Khalid Ebrahim Al Saqabi, has endorsed Al Dawood's messages, saying a proposed law against sexual harassment in the workplace was "only meant to encourage consensual debauchery."

Another supporter wrote, "It is a manmade law and it can't be accepted in a kingdom ruled by God's law."

Others have condemned Al Dawood's tweets. One critic commented, "What kind of person urges the youth to commit debauchery?"

Another said Al Dawood should harass his own wife and sisters.