'Satan could be inside': Mixed-sex WhatsApp groups 'haram', rules Muslim cleric

A Kuwaiti cleric notorious for making controversial statements has said mixed-gender group chats between university students on popular messaging application WhatsApp are impermissible in Islam.

In a video posted to his official Twitter account on Saturday, Othman al-Khamees said "the devil is present" in group chats with both male and female participants.

The Salafi cleric said teaching staff should only create mixed-gender chats as a space for announcements about classes - not for conversation.

Khamees has rallied against mixed-gender activities before. In 2019, he said it was forbidden for men and women to play online video games together.

He has also gotten into hot water with Kuwait's Christian minority for disparaging comments he made about the cross.

Authorities in Kuwait have in the past tried to rein in the social influence of clerics.