Saudi Women may be able drive again
Saudi Arab has the honorable distinction of being the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive. I didn’t know that until I read an article on BBC yesterday about this. But it appears that they might be able to drive again. I know its hard to comprehend that they’ll be allowed to drive again but stranger things have happened. Saleh al-Turki, the chairman of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce seems to think so anyway. 1 in 20 women work in Saudi Arabia or Saudia as its called here. A survey has shown that 50% of Saudi women actually own cars but are unable to drive. Some women rights organizations have also been doing petitioning stuff and campaigns over the years to get this ban lifted but His Holiness King Abdullah is not one to budge it seems. Wajeha Huwaider who posted a video of herself driving on YouTube seems optimistic that the ban will be raised in His Holiness King Abdullah’s reign. Maybe in 10-20 years.
I wasn’t able to find any specific reason for this ban though. Maybe its got something to do with their interpretation of Islam or maybe they think women don’t have have what it takes to drive on Saudi roads. I’m sure their shariah council has a valid reason. So if you go to Saudia as a woman be careful not to drive or the police will apprehend you and ship you off to da jail. Until the ban is lifted you gotta take the bus like me.
