RIYADH, Jan 4: Saudi Arabia's top cleric on Friday warned against the mixing of the genders, saying it poses a threat to female chastity and society, as the kingdom prepares for the first time to grant women seats on the country's top advisory body.    

Delivering his traditional Friday sermon, Grand Mufti Sheik Abdul-Aziz Al-Sheikh said authorities must adhere to Shariah by ensuring men and women are separated as much as possible at all times. The cleric's comments come just weeks ahead of allowing women to be members of the 150-member Shura Council, the country's top advisory body.

Since 2006, women have been appointed as advisors to the council — an appointed, consultative body that has the authority to review laws and question ministers but cannot propose or veto legislation. There are currently 12 female advisors, but they do not have a right to vote in the assembly.

The move by King Abdullah to allow women a voice on the Shura Council is part of a larger reform effort by the monarchy to give women greater space in the public sphere. Last year, the kingdom began enforcing a law that allows women to work in female apparel and lingerie stores.

In the kingdom, women cannot travel, work, study abroad, marry, get divorced or gain admittance to a public hospital without permission from a male guardian — typically a husband, brother, father or uncle.—AP