60 Saudi Women Protest Driving Ban Without Incident In Latest Push For Easing Restrictions In Kingdo

[Lunabelle]

Source: Huffingtonpost

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — More than 60 women across Saudi Arabia claimed they drove cars Saturday in defiance of a ban keeping them from getting behind the wheel, facing little protest by police in their push for easing restrictions on women in the kingdom.

The campaign's message is that driving should be a woman's choice. The struggle is rooted in the kingdom's hard-line interpretation of Islam known as Wahabbism, with critics warning that women driving could unravel the very fabric of Saudi society.

Though no laws ban women from driving in Saudi Arabia, authorities do not issue them licenses. Women who drove on Saturday had driver's licenses from abroad, activists said.

Activist Aziza Youssef, a professor at King Saud University, and another activist said protest organizers received 13 videos and about 50 phone messages from women showing or claiming they had driven. She said they have no way to verify the messages.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/26/saudi-women-driving-protest_n_4166555.html

[PoliticAverse]

1. Best wishes to them! n/t

[Brainstormy]

2. Many years ago

my husband had an opportunity to go to Saudi for a highly lucrative business opportunity that would have meant our oldest daughter, then about 13, would have had to spend the year in a Swiss school (we were told that this wasn't optional because of her age) and that our youngest two would live with us on an American compound. My husband opted out, mostly because he feared that I couldn't conform to the cultural restrictions, the inability to drive yourself being one of the most conspicuous. To this day he laughs and says that had he taken the job I'd still be in a Saudi prison and he'd be very, very rich. Don't know about all that but feel sure we made the right decision. A woman driving! The very idea!

[phylny]

10. Similar situation here.

My husband had an opportunity to go to Saudi, but we have three daughters, and a friend who's from Saudi said, "Your middle daughter (who has blond hair) will not get a moment of freedom. It will be impossible for her to go outside the compound, and if she does, her hair will have to be covered." That, plus the inability to bring a Bible into the country, plus the no driving thing, PLUS having three daughters - no way.

I wish these women all the best.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. The Arabian people should honor the Sauds

by making lamp post ornaments of them.

[PuffedMica]

4. Film at 11

[Ash_F]

6. Oh you'll do well here. /nt

[theHandpuppet]

7. I hope they enjoy their stay

It won't be long.

[Coyotl]

9. Welcome back. Have a short stay.

Please take a grammar class between this visit and your return.

[Coyotl]

8. K&R. Give this some recs, good people!