A Saudi cleric has drawn criticism on social media after claiming that the Earth does not rotate, and that the Sun orbits the Earth.

Sheikh Bandar al-Khaibari, answering questions from students at a university in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, told his audience the Earth is "stationary and does not move".

To prove his point, Mr Khaibari launched into a convoluted effort to explain his theory using the example of an airplane flying to China.

"If we leave Sharjah airport on an international flight to China... the Earth is rotating, right?" he asked sarcastically. "So, if the plane stops still on air, wouldn't China be coming towards it? True or not?"

"If the Earth rotates on the other direction, the plane will not be able to reach China, because China is also rotating as the plane rotates."

Mr Khaibari also claimed that the Sun orbits the Earth, rather than the other way round.

According to al-Arabiya newspaper, Mr Khaibari has previously stated that Nasa never sent humans to the moon, rejecting lunar landing videos as a Hollywood fabrication.

Watch video below:

---

---

Learn more »

The Met. Office has warned that a sand storm from North Africa is on its way to Cyprus. The sand storm will not be too heavy, but is still expected to create air pollution.

Rain, which is forecast for Friday will improve conditions.

Kibris Postasi

Learn more »