A Saudi woman in Qatif was apparently arrested for driving, according to this account from the Italian news agency AKI. The piece notes that on Saudi Independence Day, Sept. 23, human rights organizations will make a demand that women again be permitted to drive.
Saudi Arabia: Woman detained for driving
Qatif, 12 August (AKI) – Saudi religious police have arrested a woman in the region of Qatif in eastern Saudi Arabia for driving a car.
The 47-year-old woman was spotted by agents from the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice after other men reported the woman, said Saudi daily Okaz.
The woman was later released after her family posted bail, and will now be put on trial.
There is no law in Saudi Arabia that prevents women from driving. However, fatwas or religious edicts, have been issued by Wahhabi scholars saying it is sinful for women to drive.
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August:13:2008 - 00:12
I think this is the third reported case in as many months. Also, we are finally seeing clearly written articles that explain the situation correctly.
And the “conservatives” are probably correct to an extent. Men and women mixing freely does lead to a more loosely knit society. But with freedom to fail comes freedom to succeed.
August:13:2008 - 10:52
Ten Reasons Why Women in Saudi Should Drive
1. Drivers who fondle and masturbate while driving ladies around. Don’t laugh it is not as uncommon as you may think. I insist I need to see both hands on that damn steering wheel after my friends horrible story.
2. Drunk drivers. The neighborhood drivers get together and get drunk. I was asked by a driver I hire by the hour if I could get him some whiskey. Of course he was fired.
3. Most have never operated a motor vehicle before, don’t speak the language and can’t read.
4. Some are driving Miss Daisy if you know what I mean Hoke (Driver) in the movie “Driving Miss Daisy” ends up feeding Miss Daisy pie at the end of the movie. I like a little dessert every now and again.
5. They mishandle the car, crash it up and stink it up
6. They take the car to places without permission and misuse it for God Knows What
7. You have to keep them in your home or on your property. Imagine a creepy strange man and having to board and feed him.
8. Financially they are a burden on lower income families and they often run off.
9. They deal in illegal activities including and not limited to taking a finder’s fee for runaway maids.
10. You cannot trust them with your children as there have been too many stories of sexual assault.