Saudi woman finally driving a car
One cannot miss the site of this amazing woman, Manal al-Sherif, who in defiance for the traditional rules of conduct in her native Saudi Arabia campaigns for the right of women to drive as part of her Women2drive initiative.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world, where both native and foreign women are totally prohibited from driving cars and must rely on either male relatives or professional drivers to use cars. Although no actual law forbidding female driving exists, a fatwa issued by the local religious authorities prevent women from getting behind the wheel, arguably for ‘driving exposes women to sinful temptations by allowing them to mingle with policemen and mechanics’. How totally outrageous and ludicrous is that?!
I am personally extremely proud of this women as she is the embodiment of hope for this ultraorthodox and backward country. It is highly admirable of her not to mind the prospect of being arrested (she was briefly detained by the religious police but soon after released) or even being mistreated by the security forces in her plight for women’s rights and basic dignities associated with them.
“The rain starts with a single drop,” says Manal al-Sherif.
“The rain starts with a single drop,” says Manal al-Sherif.
