Muslim Leader Blames Rising Meat Prices On Women’s Skimpy Clothes, ‘Naked Bodies’

KEY POINTS

An imam said meat prices go up when women 'cheapen' themselves by showing too much skin
An investigation into the imam's remarks found he did not insult anyone's honor
The retail price of meat products in Kyrgyzstan reached $8 per kilogram in June

An imam in Kyrgyzstan has recently come under fire for blaming the rising prices of meat products on women wearing skimpy clothes.

Sadybakas Doolov, an award-winning mullah who had previously served as the head of an Islamic university, called on elderly men to stop women from wearing skimpy outfits to bring the prices of meat products down, RFE/RL reported. He argued that prices skyrocket when women “cheapen” themselves by showing too much skin.

"Do you know when meat prices go up in your town? It goes up when women's flesh cheapens. Woman's meat becomes cheap when she bares skin, exposes her thighs like a thumb," Doolov, 53, was quoted by as saying by RFE/RL.

Doolov made the disparaging remarks during a congregation in the capital city of Bishkek earlier this month, a video of which was shared on social media.

While economists R trying to understand reasons behind rise in meat prices on Kyrgyz market, mullah Sadybakas Doolov says meat prices rise in direct proportion to decline in women's morality. The freer the woman= the higher the price of meat. pic.twitter.com/kYf9gMFfHY
— Leila Nazgul Seiitbek💙💛🇰🇬🌻 (@l_seiitbek) July 6, 2022

His comments sparked outrage, with some women calling authorities to launch a criminal investigation into the imam, who is currently serving at a mosque in the capital city’s Sverdlov district.

Officials for the state-backed Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan (DUMK) said they investigated Doolav’s remarks to determine if they violated three criteria, including whether they insulted anyone’s honor and dignity and if they interfered with politics. The officials said the probe found that Doolov did not violate any Islamic law, adding that his speech was misunderstood by many.

Doolov also said his comments were misinterpreted, adding that he meant authorities should not be blamed for all issues and advised Kyrgyz people to examine their moral values.

"There were some words on why you're talking about the [high] price of meat but your honor is not offended when women walk around with their naked bodies," he added.

Doolav’s comments come as Kyrgyzstan witnesses rising wholesale and retail prices of meat. In June, the wholesale price increased to 550 soms (US$6.78) per kilogram of meat. The retail price also reached between 600 soms (US$7.40) to 700 soms (US$8.63) per kilogram of meat. Prices are expected to rise further, according to the 24.kg news agency.