Saudi Arabia to deal ‘strictly’ with female drivers

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

RIYADH-

Female drivers in Saudi Arabia will be dealt with “strictly”, authorities said before a right-to-drive campaign culminates at the weekend.

The kingdom is the world’s only country where women are not allowed to operate cars.

Activists said in early October they were revving up their campaign using social media.

But the Interior Ministry said it will “strictly implement” measures against anyone who “contributes in any manner or by any acts, towards providing violators with the opportunity to undermine the social cohesion”.

The statement was carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Activists have encouraged women to post pictures of themselves driving on Twitter under the hashtag #IWillDriveMyself, as well as on Instagram, YouTube and WhatsApp.

More than 2,700 people have signed an online petition at حملة 26 أكتوبر | نسعى لرفع الحظر عن قيادة المرأة في السعودية

Activists said that every day “two or three” women have shared pictures of themselves driving via WhatsApp.

But they say nothing special is expected for the campaign’s peak on Sunday.

“We just ask the ladies who need to drive, to drive as usual on the 26th” or on another day, said one activist, Nasima al-Sada.

Aziza al Yussef, who says she runs errands in her car two or three times a week, said the campaign was about “raising the voice” and making their demand heard − but not by doing anything illegal such as a demonstration.

Activists argue that women’s driving is not against the law.

Tradition and custom are behind the prohibition, which is not backed up by an Islamic text or judicial ruling, the online petition states.

Last year, activists also focused their demands on October 26 − which they simply call a “symbolic” date as part of efforts to press for women’s right to drive.

At least 16 were fined for taking the wheel on that day.

Saudi women still need permission from a male guardian to work and marry, while restaurants are divided into “family sections” and separate areas for single men.

The ultra-conservative Wahhabi Islamic tradition is predominant in the kingdom, where it applies to both religious and political life.

Saudi Arabia to deal ‘strictly’ with female drivers | Pakistan Today

 

[Sinnerman108]

It is amazing, how someone can find time to think about this small stuff,

when the region has far bigger problems.

@Mosamania will tell you that it is time women started driving and contributing to the national GDP.

If a national is not productive, then he is a consumer ( of services / goods etc )

and Saudi Arabia will continue needing more and more foreigners to curb that gap.

 

[VCheng]

It is amazing, how someone can find time to think about this small stuff,

when the region has far bigger problems.

@Mosamania will tell you that it is time women started driving and contributing to the national GDP.

If a national is not productive, then he is a consumer ( of services / goods etc )

and Saudi Arabia will continue needing more and more foreigners to curb that gap.

Small stuff? Social equality for women as a basis for wider justice in society is not small stuff. Indeed, this lack is what contributes to the present troubles in the region.

 

[Sinnerman108]

Small stuff? Social equality for women as a basis for wider justice in society is not small stuff. Indeed, this lack is what contributes to the present troubles in the region.

"relatively speaking"

 

[VCheng]

"relatively speaking"

Relatively speaking, treating the root causes will always be more effective than treating the mere symptoms of a disease.

 

[Mosamania]

It is amazing, how someone can find time to think about this small stuff,

when the region has far bigger problems.

@Mosamania will tell you that it is time women started driving and contributing to the national GDP.

If a national is not productive, then he is a consumer ( of services / goods etc )

and Saudi Arabia will continue needing more and more foreigners to curb that gap.

I really didn't want to be dragged into this thread but yes, all that still call for this stupid law and this stupid ban are stupid themselves. The government is issuing threats because it is a form of protest mainly and only, it doesn;t give 2 shitz about this ban honestly. I just want to find all these religious A-holes and tear them a new one.

 

[PlanetWarrior]

After sitting with my wife in a car being driven by her on a few ocassions, I wish that we were living in Saudi Arabia

 

[Not Sure]

Small stuff? Social equality for women as a basis for wider justice in society is not small stuff. Indeed, this lack is what contributes to the present troubles in the region.

Oh, they are just trying to save the pedestrians

 

[mike2000]

Small stuff? Social equality for women as a basis for wider justice in society is not small stuff. Indeed, this lack is what contributes to the present troubles in the region.

Lool bro are you trying to talk sense to the SAUDI WAHABIST ARABIA rulers? It will be like trying to convince north korea to open up to the west/world trade. Lool no chance.

If i was obama, the house of saud will be the first country i will bring democracy to in this world

 

[al-Hasani]

It's a moronic "law" but in all fairness females are horrible drivers and they don't really suffer from this law either as almost all of them have relatives that can drive them wherever they want to go or afford a private chauffeur/cab driver.

Oh, I was one of those 2700 on that petition. Anyway I am sure that this "law" will be changed in the near future. Hopefully. When that happens I will fear to drive in KSA even more than already.

 

[ResurgentIran]

It's a moronic "law" but in all fairness females are horrible drivers and they don't really suffer from this law either as almost all of them have relatives that can drive them wherever they want to go or afford a private chauffeur/cab driver.

Oh, I was one of those 2700 on that petition. Anyway I am sure that this "law" will be changed in the near future. Hopefully. When that happens I will fear to drive in KSA even more than already.

My mom is the best driver in the family.
Well, except for me.

 

[al-Hasani]

My mom is the best driver in the family.
Well, except for me.

Women are in general very bad drivers IMO. Just in my immediate family my mother is a much worse driver than my father (she drives safely, LOL) while only 1 of my 3 sisters is what I would call a competent driver. The remaining two are an accident waiting to happen. Even in France and Denmark etc. women drive worse. In May 2013 I had a little road accident due to a brainless woman. But of course I might be a little strict and sexist here. We men can afford to be that from time to time. At least among ourselves.

Basically our economy could be 33% times bigger if not 50% times bigger if women contributed even remotely as much as the men. So we are under self-imposed sanctions too.

 

[Sinnerman108]

I really didn't want to be dragged into this thread but yes, all that still call for this stupid law and this stupid ban are stupid themselves. The government is issuing threats because it is a form of protest mainly and only, it doesn;t give 2 shitz about this ban honestly. I just want to find all these religious A-holes and tear them a new one.

See that last part of the statement is what matters.

So long as there are young saudi guys, who have education behind them and challenging the religious statuesque
the society will improve.

 

[ResurgentIran]

Women are in general very bad drivers IMO. Just in my immediate family my mother is a much worse driver than my father (she drives safely, LOL) while only 1 of my 3 sisters is what I would call a competent driver. The remaining two are an accident waiting to happen. Even in France and Denmark etc. women drive worse. In May 2013 I had a little road accident due to a brainless woman. But of course I might be a little strict and sexist here. We men can afford to be that from time to time. At least among ourselves.

Basically our economy could be 33% times bigger if not 50% times bigger if women contributed even remotely as much as the men. So we are under self-imposed sanctions too.

Its totally the opposite in my family. My father can barely drive anymore. He used to be an ok (but not great) driver.
My mom on the other hand has always been a great driver. She drive not only safely but also smoothly. With my father its a bumpy ride. No smooth transmission or driving.
My brothers arent that good either. They just dont drive smoothly.

I drive really smooth. My sister says Im the best driver in the family, but imo I think my mom is. And I am nr. 2.
My dad is last.

 

[Kaniska]

Small stuff? Social equality for women as a basis for wider justice in society is not small stuff. Indeed, this lack is what contributes to the present troubles in the region.

The answer to your question about why he think it is a small stuff is because of the 2nd flag that is associated with the person between you and him...That explains everything...