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Why Can't Women Drive In Saudi?
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Can someone explain to be what is so threatening about women being allowed to drive? Beyond the normal reasons that is!
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.Islam, in its stricter forms, does not allow women to go out without a chaperone, normally their husband, brother or other close male relative. The Saudis are Wahabi Sunni Muslims. They are even stricter about women's liberties than most. You might think they'd let a woman learn to drive and drive, if the required male was always present, but they fear that a woman who can drive will be out and about without such presence. You don't see women camel riders there either!
Because Saudi Arabia is a very wealthy but also very backward country, where men have the upper hand in everything. There are lost of things that the men don't allow women to do, and driving is just one of them. In common with most Muslim countries, they do this to maintain their superiority over women. It will change in time but not when the rest of the world wants and needs their oil.
Well, that is not what i was lead to believe when i was in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia..
The explanation that I got was that it showed respect and gave protection to their women as highlighted by not allowing them to drive and by walking ahead of their woman.
Very little to do with Islam but custom developed over centuries.
That is how the Saudi men see it.
The explanation that I got was that it showed respect and gave protection to their women as highlighted by not allowing them to drive and by walking ahead of their woman.
Very little to do with Islam but custom developed over centuries.
That is how the Saudi men see it.
I went to Saudi on business for a week about 10 years ago.
This is a country that does not allow "normal" tourists and I only got in by applying for a business visa.
Upon arrival I was met by the most rude and surly customs staff I have ever seen.
Because I had some computer CDs with me I was ushered into a room with no explanation and a man behind a desk looked thought CDs (I suppose to check I was not importing pornography).
If I could have turned round and gone home at that point I would have done.
All the women are "covered up" and if a couple are walking down the street and the woman is showing too much flesh then the local police use a small stick to "whip" the back of the man's leg for allowing his female to show too much flesh.
The bring in lots of immigrants from places like Pakistan to do all the menial jobs, and at the time even the immigrants were not allowed to drive either.
All the men have a superior feeling about them, looking down at everyone, even the few of use from the west who were there to try to sell them computer equipment.
Right in the middle of my presentation all the Arab men stood up and walked out the room with no explanation. It turns out it was time for prayers. They then all walked back in again with no apology and we carried on.
All the restaurants are split into two (even McDonalds), one side for the "evil" men, the other side for families or women and children. There is a large barrier down the middle so you cant see over.
It is the only country I have felt frightened in, a feeling that the government was watching me and making a note of what I said and did. When it was time to leave I ran for the plane and I was so glad when it too off.
The only good point about the country is that alcohol is banned and drugs are not available, so you felt very safe walking round at night. When you see the state of some of our young drunk or drugged people in our city centres we could certainly learn something from that.
But overall Saudi is a horrible country and NOTHING would ever get me back there.
This is a country that does not allow "normal" tourists and I only got in by applying for a business visa.
Upon arrival I was met by the most rude and surly customs staff I have ever seen.
Because I had some computer CDs with me I was ushered into a room with no explanation and a man behind a desk looked thought CDs (I suppose to check I was not importing pornography).
If I could have turned round and gone home at that point I would have done.
All the women are "covered up" and if a couple are walking down the street and the woman is showing too much flesh then the local police use a small stick to "whip" the back of the man's leg for allowing his female to show too much flesh.
The bring in lots of immigrants from places like Pakistan to do all the menial jobs, and at the time even the immigrants were not allowed to drive either.
All the men have a superior feeling about them, looking down at everyone, even the few of use from the west who were there to try to sell them computer equipment.
Right in the middle of my presentation all the Arab men stood up and walked out the room with no explanation. It turns out it was time for prayers. They then all walked back in again with no apology and we carried on.
All the restaurants are split into two (even McDonalds), one side for the "evil" men, the other side for families or women and children. There is a large barrier down the middle so you cant see over.
It is the only country I have felt frightened in, a feeling that the government was watching me and making a note of what I said and did. When it was time to leave I ran for the plane and I was so glad when it too off.
The only good point about the country is that alcohol is banned and drugs are not available, so you felt very safe walking round at night. When you see the state of some of our young drunk or drugged people in our city centres we could certainly learn something from that.
But overall Saudi is a horrible country and NOTHING would ever get me back there.
apparently there are sound medical reasons behind it
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24323934
though some of the shameless hussies are fighting back
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/26/saudi-arabia-woman-driving-car-ban
http://
though some of the shameless hussies are fighting back
http://
Thank you sqad :-) and mikey, yes, the level of covered-uppedness in Saudi is cultural too. Islam exhorts women to be modest and it's interpreted differently in different countries. Turbaned women in Africa are often Muslim - I witnessed a heated discussion between an African lady and a hijabi lady a few years back, as to whether it was immodest to show the back of your neck if you are wearing a turban.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2428993/Staggering-fighting-vomiting-passed-drunk--police-say-scenes-control-town-centre-QUIETER-Friday-night-usual.html
mikey....you may well be right, but i wouldn't hold your breath.
mikey....you may well be right, but i wouldn't hold your breath.
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