Even though there is no formal law on the books prohibiting women from driving, it is the religious clerics through who's fatwas are the restrictions enforced. It is good to see these women, some in positions of power, taking on the clerics and the entrenched attitudes of Islamic hegemony. Will they succeed where others have failed? The time may be right for a change, but you can expect to see the clerics in a frenzy over this blatant insult to Muhammad.
Wait for the leftists, feminists and apologists to line up and support this cause and take to the streets of Jeddah.
...crickets...
From the BBC June 17
Saudi Arabia women drive cars in protest at ban
Women in Saudi Arabia have been openly driving cars in defiance of an official ban on female drivers in the ultra-conservative kingdom.
The direct action has been organised on social network sites, where women have been posting images and videos of themselves behind the wheel.
The Women2Drive Facebook page said the direct action would continue until a royal decree reversed the ban.
Last month, a woman was arrested after uploading a video of herself driving.
Manal al-Sherif was accused of "besmirching the kingdom's reputation abroad and stirring up public opinion", but was released after 10 days having promised not to drive again.
Campaigners have not called for a mass protest - which would be illegal - but have asked women who have foreign driving licences to drive themselves as they go about their daily life.
"All that we need is to run our errands without depending on drivers," said one woman in the first film posted in the early hours of Friday morning.
The film showed the unnamed woman talking as she drove to a supermarket and parking.
"It is not out of love for driving or traffic or the experience. All this is about is that if I wanted to go to work, I can go. If I needed something I can go and get it."
"I think that society is ready to welcome us."
Another protester said she drove around the streets of Riyadh for 45 minutes "to make a point".
"I took it directly to the streets of the capital," said Maha al-Qahtani, a computer specialist at the Ministry of Education.
Religious fatwa
On Twitter, Mrs Qahtani described the route she had taken around the city with her husband, saying: "I decided that the car for today is mine."
Her husband said she was carrying her essential belongings with her and was "ready to go to prison without fear", AFP news agency reported.
One woman who asked not to be named told the BBC driving was often considered to be "something really minor".
Read it all
Wait for the leftists, feminists and apologists to line up and support this cause and take to the streets of Jeddah.
...crickets...
From the BBC June 17
Saudi Arabia women drive cars in protest at ban
Women in Saudi Arabia have been openly driving cars in defiance of an official ban on female drivers in the ultra-conservative kingdom.
The direct action has been organised on social network sites, where women have been posting images and videos of themselves behind the wheel.
The Women2Drive Facebook page said the direct action would continue until a royal decree reversed the ban.
Last month, a woman was arrested after uploading a video of herself driving.
Manal al-Sherif was accused of "besmirching the kingdom's reputation abroad and stirring up public opinion", but was released after 10 days having promised not to drive again.
Campaigners have not called for a mass protest - which would be illegal - but have asked women who have foreign driving licences to drive themselves as they go about their daily life.
"All that we need is to run our errands without depending on drivers," said one woman in the first film posted in the early hours of Friday morning.
The film showed the unnamed woman talking as she drove to a supermarket and parking.
"It is not out of love for driving or traffic or the experience. All this is about is that if I wanted to go to work, I can go. If I needed something I can go and get it."
"I think that society is ready to welcome us."
Another protester said she drove around the streets of Riyadh for 45 minutes "to make a point".
"I took it directly to the streets of the capital," said Maha al-Qahtani, a computer specialist at the Ministry of Education.
Religious fatwa
On Twitter, Mrs Qahtani described the route she had taken around the city with her husband, saying: "I decided that the car for today is mine."
Her husband said she was carrying her essential belongings with her and was "ready to go to prison without fear", AFP news agency reported.
One woman who asked not to be named told the BBC driving was often considered to be "something really minor".
Read it all
1 comment:
Now if only more of them could do such rebelion on other issues as well! The idea of Islamic reformation just keeps sliping through our fingers.
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