Riyadh - A Saudi religious scholar says it is better for engaged couples to meet through web cameras than to have face-to-face contact, Saudi local media reported Thursday.

The webcam acts as a "shield" between couples and this is much preferable from a religious point of view, according to Abdel Mohsen al-Abikan, Consultant of Legal Affairs in the Ministry of Justice.

Bu he also told al-Medina newspaper that couples meeting via webcam should not abrogate religious laws. The groom-to-be should be allowed to see only his financee's face, hair and hands.

Al-Abikan gave an example of one Saudi man in his 30s who had married a woman after seeing her on his web camera. (dpa)