King Abdullah has revoked a sentence of 10 lashes imposed on a woman for breaking the ban on women driving. PHOTO: AFP
Last Ramazan I was in Saudi Arabia, mainly for the purpose of performing Umrah. However, I spent most time of my time in Riyadh with my sister. My trip was far from enjoyable, as being a driver myself, I was often agitated at my dependence on my brother-in-law. I constantly found myself waiting for him in order to get to malls and any other place that I wanted to visit. I felt so handicapped because I wasn’t allowed to drive.
My sister, who used to drive frequently when she was settled in Dubai, found it difficult to get used to the fact that women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. She would often remark ruefully:
“They don’t mind their women travelling with na mahramcabbies but they do mind if they drive on their own.”
Yesterday, when I read the news that the Saudi king Abdullah had sentenced Sheima Jastaniah, a Saudi local, to lashing on account of driving, I was saddened and outraged at the same time. I, thus, decided to blog against this unjust punishment.
By the morning, I had almost finished my blog and was ready to submit it. However, all my efforts went to waste when I read today’s paper. I was absolutely stumped to see that the sentence had been revoked.
I think this was a very wise and diplomatic move on behalf of the Saudi King Abdullah. To read the news that a woman has been spared lashing for driving in the 21st century was both pleasant and depressing at the same time.
The ban on driving for women is still not digestible for many in the kingdom and surprisingly, it’s not just the women who are incensed with the ban. Many husbands are also supporting their wives in the online cause called Women2Drive.
Categories: Saudi Arabia