Saudi woman defies driving ban
JEDDAH - A SAUDI mother said on Sunday she defied a ban on women drivers in the ultra-conservative kingdom by getting behind the wheel for four days without being stopped.
Najla al-Hariri, a housewife in her mid-30s, said she drove non-stop for four days in the streets of the Red Sea city of Jeddah 'to defend her belief that Saudi women should be allowed to drive.'
'I don't fear being arrested because I am setting an example that my daughter and her friends are proud of,' Ms Hariri told AFP, adding she was offering driving lessons for women.
Ms Hariri said she was an experienced motorist as she had driven for five years in Egypt and another five years in Lebanon, while she could not drive in her own country.
In addition to being banned from driving, Saudi women cannot travel without authorisation from their male guardians, and are also not allowed to vote in the municipal elections, the only public polls in the absolute monarchy.
When in public, they are obliged to cover from head to toe. -- AFP
source:
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_668990.html
http://news.maktoob.com/article.php/6257352
the Saudi authorities should sooner capture that woman for violating the law of their country being a citizen.
later they should publish the penalty she is charged with to set an example in order to avoid future violation of law.
If it isn't illegal then thats just fine as I feel, and Allahu alam,its better to drive alone,according to Islamic law and safety wise too, than have a non maharam male driver take you places. But if its illegal then I feel its wrong, just as I feel the Muslim women in France who adorn the niqaab despite it being illegal are wrong. I never never support breaking laws, be it in Muslim lands or non Muslim lands. Laws are to be obeyed.
Pilgram I protest that this has direct Impact on Women Drivers in Qatar. Women drivers in Qatar can not drive through Saudi on enroute to UAE where as the she can in either the origin/destination country!
So this lady is a beacon of hope for all women in Saudi and well as the neighbouring countries!
That should be the Spirit. Now is the high time for Saudi Govt to raise the ban, and let women drive on the streets of Saudi Arabia..
sajmarhab: don't be afraid, your wife can drive too.
if so suggest me where i can find middle east group or saudi group or appropriate group. I understand the QL lounge is the forum where you can discuss and post that you can't hit it in other forum topics.
You are partially right.
There is no governmental framework/process for women in Saudi Arabia to obtain driving licenses. Hense , they can't drive - So realisticaly, they are legaly banned :O)
she started to drive at the age of 20, wonder whatelse she can drive more :).
poor saudi women when visit other places or even in GCC countries see women driving & have freedom to rely on their own feels jealousy & inferiority complex.
My understanding is that driving is not legally banned for women in Saudi but is severely frowned upon by religious leaders therefore culturally it is not the norm and they could be punished by the religious police.
And what I find strange is that they do not drive for modesty/religious reasons but it is perfetly ok for a non male relative (driver) to drive them around - makes absolutely no sense at all
I know expat women who prefer the Saudi lifestyle because they get chauefered everywhere. No headaches :O0
For the Saudi women and more so for the expats who live in Saudi becoz they have been driving all their lives and now since they moved to Saudi, they have to depend on their husbands to take them out even for doing groceries or a trip to the beauty salon.. Poor women.. At least the locals can afford a driver but the expats there are in a worse condition.. I have friends and relatives staying in Saudia who often complain how much they have to pay as taxi fares and sometimes the taxi fare comes up to 25 percent of the total amont they spend in the grocery store.. It is like a 25 to 30 perecent tax if they have to pay for taxi fare back and forth each time they want to buy some groceries..
women will drive and vist qatar, there might be a "road trip to qatar from saudi" and doesn't that sounds good ?
sajmarhab - I'm not interfering! Where in the posts above am I interfering?
I'm congratulating the women of Saudi Arabia for standing up for themselves? How the fcuk is that interfering. wind your neck in mate.
Actually, another Saudi lady, Wajeha Al Huwaider did a similar thing in 2006 and was arrested by police. This time I think the Saudi authorities are just letting it go in order to not create a fuss..
this is Saudi Rule (Constitution), why we interfere, similarly, that you said, when french BANNED niqab..
same rules apply everywhere, Y this double standard dear...
But again...Qatari women can't drive through to UAE or Bahrain, alone. So it affects Qatari Women.
well a lot of Saudi Women qualifies for driving license
but they don't dare what this lady has done
Bravo
Yes but women in Qatar can drive! So it doesn't affect Qatar.
I'm having a bad day, leave me alone :P
We share a border with Saudi!
Okie...so in near future, we'll see advertisements of "Lady Driven Car for Sale" in Saudi papers as well?
This is a logical progression. You cannot stop change .
Some Saudi ladies drive regularly wearing male clothing .. :o)
But Baldrick what does this have to do with Qatar?
Well done!
Good Girl!
I believe there are about to be some 'organized' protests by women wanting to drive. More power :o)