Saudi Arabia to lift driving ban on women
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia is to lift the ban on women drivers in an attempt to stem a rising suffragette-style movement in the kingdom.
Government officials have confirmed the landmark decision and plan to issue a decree by the end of the year.
The move is designed to forestall protests for greater freedom by women, which have recently included campaigners driving cars through the kingdom in defiance of a threat of detention and loss of livelihoods.
The royal family has previously baulked at granting women driving permits, claiming the step did not have full public support. The driving ban dates back to the establishment of the state in 1932, although recently the government line has weakened.
Source: http://www.gulfnews.com/articles/08/01/21/10183676.html
Speed Comments:
Good news for All Saudi Women, I must say Congratulations to ALL WOMEN .... "Now am thinking to open a women car showroom or women Driving School in Saudi Arabia " ... Contact Speed for your Driving Classes and New Cars ;-)
Darude !! Now you can plan a QL trip by road to Saudi Arabia in the deserts and Farms ...
By they way one more interesting Story: As most of Qlers knows that I recently moved from Dubai. So, I left some of my household items with one of my friend's in his warehouse. Today, he took those items to a Cargo Company to send it to me here in Doha by road. After checking all the items, the Cargo company removed all the personal photo albums/ picture frames/ toys such as dolls etc.. and Religious books from the boxes saying that at Saudi border they will not allow such items since it is prohibited as per Saudi Law.
Now, I have find another to bring those boxes :(
Good to hear.....and about time .....
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do you know that Saudi women allowed to drive in villages but not in big cities.
Speed let's hope :)
Only the difference between old news and this one is that earlier Govt. official used to think and discuss but no final decision were made. This time (as per the news) the decision has been made and will be implemented by end of this year.
That is why they said "Government officials have confirmed the landmark decision and plan to issue a decree by the end of the year."
Rest Allah (God) knows that what is in the future.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7159077.stm
this is well cool!
Ladies, thanks for all the information!
I lived in jeddah for many years in some places there women can wear what they want but it's really limited places. For local ladies they have to wear abaya and shayla but for non just abaya and without it that impossible. If someone went out with lady to restaurant they maybe gonna arrested.
Speed belive me not yet GOV trying to make a law but i think people there are not ready yet. gonna take time.
I was talking about the Saudia women. They have to wear abayas and shaylas and they are really pressured into wearing niqab by the mutawas. I know the mutawas are more lax with expats but a friend of mine in Riyadh has trouble getting served in restaurants as a single person or with female friends.
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www.kiva.org
"Make a difference or make way"
Try driving in India. You will never drive in your life again
Oh ya?! I thought that the rules (must be accompanied by man and headscarves) are applicable to all women in Saudi regardless where they from??
No need to be accompanied by a man too??
Alexa, really that many women in Saudi did not wear headscarf now? I thought only those within the Aramco compound?
We were advised recently by our company not to drive in Saudi. Too dangerous. Even worse driving than in Qatar. Hard to imagine....but maybe true. Like Alexa tho, I wanna see it with my own eyes first, then I'll believe. Maybe with the women on the road we'll be advised we can drive there again. Nothing more calming than a woman's influence......
These are crucial times
Each soul is needed in its rightful place
smokey... u listening. dont bother to unload things. u will get them fm Najma.
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Trust me i was telling same thing to my wife that we might find our items in Najma (CHOOR BAZAR)
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DG ... last year in I went to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah ! I saw few expt women at the Riyadh Airport without Hijab.. even in city few were seen on streets only wearing sheyla on their head no abaya ! Things are changing fast ...
Only the restrictions are in Holy cities of Madina and Mecca !
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Hey speed. guess what, a scam there too. go to najma and might be u see things u left at the border there.
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lol ... not all boxes ! only those boxes which contains family photos/ my daughter dolls and some wall frames with animal/ human pictures in it !
I wonder if saudis are not selling all these stuff in their Country ?
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I wonder when they will lift the head scarf ban too..
Seems they removed every possible thing u had in those boxes. nothing left for u to recieve them when all boxes are empty.
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Wahooooo...ABOUT TIME! And if they think this will shut the women up, they are WRONG!!!! This is one more step along the road to equal rights for my Saudi sisters.
When it does come to pass, I'll be among the first to drive through the streets of Riyadh, flags flying
Next, not FORCING every woman to wear abaya/shayla. What is that about????
Choice. Choice. Choice. Choice. Choice. Choice...............
[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________
www.kiva.org
Such a disgraceful attempt to allow women drive on Saudi's road. woMen shouldn't drive, Man shouldn't carry a child, Kids cannot use mobile phone, Dogs are not allowed to walk on street. what else?
must be women's day gift by Saudi Govt..
The news says that the law will come into force by end of this year ! So the year 2009 will see women driving on the saudi streets
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:-)