Turkish Islamic Cleric Says Men Without Beard Cause 'Indecent Thoughts' in other Men because They look like Women

An Islamic cleric in Turkey, Murat Bayaral, has drawn backlash after suggesting that clean-shaven men sometimes "cannot be distinguished from women" and can cause "indecent thoughts' in some men. Speaking on a private religious station, Fatih Medreseleri (Madrasahs) TV, on Dec. 16th, Bayaral blasted beardless men and said there is no need to receive permission from wives for a man to shave his beard.

“Men should grow beard. One of the two body parts that separate men from women is the beard. For example, if you see a man with long hair from afar you may think he is a woman if he does not have a beard. Because nowadays women and men dress similarly. God forbid! You could be possessed by indecent thoughts,” he said.