World

B'desh arrests cleric over fatwa against women farming

Agencies

A Muslim cleric accused of issuing a fatwa banning women from working on farms has been arrested in Bangladesh, police said on Wednesday.

The imam and five mosque officials face charges after their announcement prompted locals in the western town of Kumarkhali to try and prevent women from going to work in the fields.

"They took the decision after prayers on Friday, banning women from going out of their homes," local police chief Abdul Khaleque told AFP.