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Saudi Arabia to lift ban on women drivers

omarrana submitted on 01/22/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 11:11 AM
from: www.egmcartech.com

[74] user comments | category: Misc News

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Saudi Arabia to lift ban on women drivers

Saudi Arabia has decided to lift the ban on women driving and plans to issue a decree by the end of this year. The royal family has previously refused to grant women drivers a license, claiming that the move did not have full public support.

“There has been a decision to move on this by the Royal Court because it is recognized that if girls have been in schools since the 1960s, they have a... Read Article

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Htay7500 - 1/22/2008 11:47:57 AM

+1 Boost

thats sexist.

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EnnNorak - 1/22/2008 2:25:22 PM

+2 Boost

What took them this long? I always insist that my wife drive or she will constantly argue with me about navigation (she know all the shortcuts in town). It's great to have a chauffeur that works for free.

1995e34 - 1/22/2008 11:56:39 AM

-1 Boost

and to think saudi arabia runs america...scary!

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1995e34 - 1/22/2008 12:07:30 PM

-5 Boost

i think they'd have us by the balls even more so if we used our own oil. cause regardless, we can't get americans do decrease consumption. if we don't tap our own, we have a backup in 30-50 years when production peaks. if we use our own, it may just move production peak back a few years, and leave us on empty after the peak.

EnnNorak - 1/22/2008 2:30:51 PM

-2 Boost

They must have realized that Hillary (a woman) will be the next U.S. president and it's bad PR with the American public to continue to ban women drivers. The Saudis may have tons of oil but Canada has a bunch of it also in the tar sand. Saudi Arabia needs the U.S. to defend it against rogue nations like Iran.

farabira1 - 1/22/2008 12:05:04 PM

0 Boost

Now how can an article like this get posted in an automotive online magazine. The subject of this article is communal and has nothing to do with cars, or technology of automotives. I mean making fun of brand fans is fine, but article like this will result in comments that will , sometimes non intentionally, degrade a certain community of human beings and their values (In this case people of Arabia and generally people of muslim background). And even though the blogger may have just said a comment in light heart, as a humor, the specific community to whom the comments pertain to may feel denigrated and intentionally abused. So i urge to Autoblog authorities to kindly remove this article from circulation. Please stop spreading hatred.

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1995e34 - 1/22/2008 12:10:08 PM

+1 Boost

when their values include treating women like dogs, they have it coming.

cdoke - 1/22/2008 12:21:22 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Let's be specific here. Could you please point out the passage or passages that Autoblog is responsible for where either through implied or overt means would lead a rational human being to take umbrage with the article?

Or are you saying that the article should be removed based upon what you believe is the propensity for abuse by bloggers, who at the time of this write up, have not written anything?

Agent009 - 1/22/2008 2:45:28 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

The article is quite relevant due to the increasing number of Saudi women buyers.

adamsaf723 - 1/22/2008 12:08:57 PM

+7 Boost

Why, women are terrible drivers.

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pushrod27 - 1/22/2008 12:09:13 PM

+6 Boost

Excellent for women's rights, terrible for road safety. I predict that their traffic accidents will increase by at least 50% with women on the road.

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BMW328i - 1/22/2008 1:04:49 PM

-1 Boost

Sorry Rosko but it seems you have taken your understanding of Islam from Western media. In Islam, women dont need two male witnesses for rape; that is a misapplication in many Muslim countries which don't really rule by Islamic law in the correct manner.

Islam really isnt full of anti-woman laws; the rights given to women are quite amazing and that is why the largest group of converts to Islam are European women!!!

you might want to look into matters properly before talking about them...

Rupert - 1/22/2008 3:10:21 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I believe it used to be 5 male witnesses.
Still appalling though, and I doubt women will be allowed to travel with men that aren't their husbands, fathers or brothers.

BMW328i - 1/23/2008 4:14:29 AM

0 Boost

Actually Rupert shariah does not say any witnesses are required for rape; only accusations of adultery. Rape is settled using evidence in pretty much the same way it would be in the West.

Rupert - 1/23/2008 11:26:12 AMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

BMW328 - except of course, if a woman is raped, she can be accused of adultery.

BMW328i - 1/24/2008 4:47:04 AM

+1 Boost

I don't know the facts of this particular case but this could be a miscarriage of justice or there may be some truth to the allegations. Either way we shouldnt assume that the system in Sauid Arabia is inherently wrong given the justice systems in the West are failing so badly when it comes to protecting society and encouraging morality.

We need to judge each individual case and not merely take the word of the media given how much they distort the truth.

But nice to have a civilised discussion about this. Back to cars, what do you drive Rupert? :-)

Rupert - 1/24/2008 3:29:09 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

A Volkswagen Lupo.

But I don't think the justice system is there to promote morality - I have my own moral compass thank you, and if I want a woman to drive, I'm going to let her.

BMW328i - 1/28/2008 6:20:32 AM

+1 Boost

This was not anything to do with morality. Saudi Arabia banned women from driving due to certain social problems that had occured. Unfortunately this led to other social problems; they werent implementing a Quranic injunction.

Taking your statement in its generality, you don't believe that laws should implement morality? Aren't laws meant to provide limits to human behaviour and surely morality is the best check for human behaviour. Of course that is then subjective which brings me back to the fact that we need to be more tolerant and understanding about societies that have different values. This world is a much bigger place than North America and Western Europe.

w209w114 - 1/22/2008 12:16:44 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

A stupid ban from an oppresive and degenrative corrupt country lacking morality and respect for something as basic as humanity itself. This is why I'm thankful that I live in America despite all its faults.

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EnnNorak - 1/22/2008 2:39:30 PM

+3 Boost

ripperlike2gofast, you are full of extremist religious baloney. Abortion is only done for purposes of medical necessity or justifiable economic reasons as decided by the mother. Abortion is Plan B if birth control fails. The government and churches have no say in the matter. People like you have hijacked the definition of murder. Murder occurs only if a baby is killed after it is born.

EL34 - 1/22/2008 12:33:27 PM

0 Boost

This is good news.

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farabira1 - 1/22/2008 1:09:17 PM

0 Boost

to Cdoke, i am saying that this article should be removed simply because bloggers are going to abuse this article and write comments that are intentionally disrespectful to islam and people of that origin. This will result in communal bashing. And you said that no one has said anything anti islam yet, please read all the comments, people like Rosko are directly disrespecting islam, which is not the subject of this article, may i remind you.

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Agent009 - 1/22/2008 2:43:58 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

I am monitoring this thread closely, so if some one steps out of line I will know.

cdoke - 1/23/2008 12:30:53 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I thought so, I just wanted to get you to admit it.

cdoke - 1/23/2008 12:33:14 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Well, more exact anyway.

farabira1 - 1/24/2008 7:04:07 AM

+2 Boost

to Cdoke:
"I thought so, I just wanted to get you to admit it."

Exactly what do you mean by it?

well what is there to admit, Saudi Arabi is muslim and as we can see people always include islam when they criticize a practice of Saudi Arabia. But more than 90% of muslims live outside that country, and guess what unlike them other muslims like me, we do have life. And we do see Islam separately from Saudi Arabia, while still having sincere respect for my religion. So when people are going about calling Islam bad names, by mentioning some stupid rules and never realizing that those laws are not really used in any other muslim country except for the arab ones, what do you think i should do? As a human being it is my basic right to protest against any statement that degrades something that i respect and love.

And did you want me to admit that i am a muslim. Well guess what man, i am one, so what?

It is like if i call your mom a hooker, how would you feel, the religion is very close to our heart, unlike in the western world where religion is of dimmest part of your human nature. Just as in the western world, a philosophical idea or a scientific theory may be the main molding for your thought and belief system, like there is environmentalists, or probably marxists. Just like that in my society religion is an integral part of of my thought system. And so it is part of my humanity and when someone talks foul of it, it hurts.

And besides why will people even talk about religion in an auto blog, i come here to talk cars, not religion.

I have written all this above because many bloggers have foulmouthed islam and other religions, which are respected by people like me. And besides many of the points shown here show lack of knowledge on religious study and poor depth of understanding.

Milton - 1/22/2008 1:27:08 PM

+5 Boost

The number of car accidents will increase.Woman drivers suck at driving...everywhere.

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JUGNU - 1/22/2008 2:45:48 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

This is all fake. I live here in Arabian countries for nearly all my life. Here muslim Women cover themselves(well that's changing becasue of more and more western influence) but still most Muslim Women in countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq and neighbours, Inida and neighbours...etc cover themselves and are respected. and also unlike what u all heard, Muslims treat their women very nicely.

JUGNU

JUGNU

reply to this comment

M35MT - 1/22/2008 3:12:25 PMView My AgentSpace

+8 Boost

Making them walk 10 steps behind you is nice? I'm sure you treat all the gorgeous half-dressed women in your palace with respect, but not everyone has a fortune in the middle-east like yourself.

Rupert - 1/22/2008 3:16:52 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Except of course if a woman dares to be with a man who isn't a relative...or wants to show some skin.
Jugnu I'm sorry that is such crap that women are respected in the countries you mention, to me, respect means equality, and women don't have that in Arab countries.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/01/03/wgang03.xml
Saudi Arabia is the worst though, separate shopping malls for men and women? Separate beaches?

Jugnu I ask you to get in your car and drive around with a woman. See what happens. Hell, let her drive.

1995e34 - 1/22/2008 3:20:27 PM

+2 Boost

"Several international human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the United Nations Human Rights Committee have issued reports critical of the Saudi legal system and its human rights record in various political, legal, and social areas, especially its severe limitations on the rights of women. The Saudi government typically dismisses such reports as being outright lies or asserts that its actions are based on its adherence to Islamic law.

In 2002, the United Nations Committee against Torture criticized Saudi Arabia over the amputations and floggings it carries out under the Shari'a. The Saudi delegation responded defending its legal traditions held since the inception of Islam in the region 1300 years ago and rejected "interference" in its legal system.[15]

Saudi Arabia is also the only country in the world where women are banned from driving [16]

The Government views its interpretation of Islamic law as its sole source of guidance on human rights. In 2000, the Government approved the October legislation, which the Government claimed would address some of its obligations under the Convention Against Torture or Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment."

-wiki

so, now saudi arabia is no longer the only country in the entire world that prohibits female drivers.

but they still can't vote!

i like muslims, but many mideast nations give them a bad name.

Htay7500 - 1/22/2008 6:44:33 PM

+1 Boost

I agree 1995, my friend is iranian, and he can't wear shorts there, women have to wear a veal, not remembering much though. its sad that some of these nations are disrespectful with equality.

delan - 1/22/2008 11:14:49 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

I think you mean *veil* kiddo. I doubt the women walk around with slabs of meat on their heads ;)

motion - 1/22/2008 2:59:17 PM

-1 Boost

What cars do you think they'll start buying? Wonder what cars the women there are dreaming of driving. Hopefully not Corollas.

It would be a good time to start a driving school there.

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M35MT - 1/22/2008 3:14:02 PMView My AgentSpace

+6 Boost

A step closer towards civilization...now, if they could figure out a way to separate church and state, they'd be getting somewhere.

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1995e34 - 1/22/2008 3:25:34 PM

+1 Boost

we're still working on that one in america...

w209w114 - 1/22/2008 3:34:18 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

1995e34

LOL, Yeah look who we have running for the GOP. Huckabee! The man who thinks its "easier just to change the constitution to reflect the word of god than change the word of god to fit today's world" He said it himself. This is VERY VERY disturbing.

1995e34 - 1/22/2008 3:43:15 PM

-2 Boost

i hope he gets the GOP nomination. it will make Hillary's presidency that much easier.

M35MT - 1/22/2008 3:57:37 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

Yes we are working on that 1995e34, however, turning into socialists isnt the answer.

1995e34 - 1/22/2008 4:06:58 PM

-2 Boost

how do you know?

1995e34 - 1/22/2008 4:10:48 PM

-2 Boost

i don't care what system we use, as long as health and education are provided for. give me a damn monarchy if it will pay for health and education.

cdoke - 1/22/2008 4:19:56 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

On a semi-related subject; I don't think that Huckabee will get the Republican nomination. I hope he doesn't.

The reason is that the evangelicals are a relatively new addition to the Republican party (~1970's) and it was Reagan who brought them into the party in order to get votes. The point is that there are presently three constituencies within the Republican party: the evangelicals, the Libertarians and the Hawks. As a true liberal I am basically a libertarian. Huckabee rubs this constituency the wrong way. We shall see.

As a matter of interest I don't like Mitt Romney either- he is smarmy sycophant.

1995e34 - 1/22/2008 4:32:11 PM

0 Boost

i can see eye to eye with libertarians. at least they respect the constitution.

M35MT - 1/22/2008 4:44:44 PMView My AgentSpace

+7 Boost

@1995

Socialism is one step closer to facism my friend.

"give me a damn monarchy if it will pay for health and education"

Wow, that's scary. You know, if you actually get educated and work, you can afford to pay off your loans and you'll get health benefits for you and your family. You should try it.

pushrod27 - 1/22/2008 5:37:17 PM

+2 Boost

'Give me a damn monarchy...'

There is an old saying that would serve you well to heed:

'A man who is willing to trade his freedom for security deserves neither.'

Rupert - 1/22/2008 6:07:50 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

M35MT - but what if you're too ill to work so you want get health benefits so you can't work?
We have national health in Britain, and complain as we do about it, it's really great.
What is it, 17% of Americans don't have health insurance? That's a lot of people.
I'm hardly a socialist, but national health should be a priority for the US government, if only to save the American industries.
And please, the Democrats are not socialists. they are not in favour of making all industry state owned are they?
And the Patriot Act was one step closer to fascism, it was a very Franco-ist thing to do.

1995e34 - 1/22/2008 10:04:24 PM

+1 Boost

i will have my masters in mechanical engineering in a year. i plan on being able to afford my health and education. not everyone i know will have as lucrative a career as myself, and i want to see them taken care of.

1995e34 - 1/22/2008 10:13:15 PM

+1 Boost

m35mt, why is it any better for large corporations to rule a country than royalty? yay, we traded a monarchy for an oligarchy!

M35MT - 1/23/2008 9:48:49 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Because, 1995e34, as my friend Kudlow puts it, "Free market capitalism is the only true path to prosperity".

There are very few who actually CANT afford health insurance. Most people without it, have insurmountable credit card debt, cell phones, new clothes and other consumer items the DONT NEED. Bottom line, they can afford it, they just rather have more disposable income.

1995e34 - 1/23/2008 12:26:40 PM

+2 Boost

so how far do you allow the free market to roam? where do you draw the line? should we privatize our military, schools, libraries, police/fire departments, postal service, and roads?

surely if it's the only path to prosperity we should absolve the federal government altogether and let corporations govern us even more.

i don't think free market economic theory is bad, just that having complete faith in it is utterly naive. i wasn't suggesting a total socialist state, just a state that covers health and education.

topneuro - 1/22/2008 3:48:49 PM

+2 Boost

Accidents will increase since women will drive with Burkas and they will not be able see sh** thru them or peripherally.

reply to this comment

topneuro - 1/22/2008 3:52:27 PM

+2 Boost

A woman drivers licence picture with a Burka, very logical.

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w209w114 - 1/23/2008 1:00:07 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

06GS

No hes actually right. There was a hge case in the state of Florida believe it or not about a woman that did not want to remove the burka for her picture. SO it made the news. If you cant abide by American laws then dont bother coming here. The choice is theirs.

Rupert - 1/22/2008 6:33:04 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

Don't blame religion - blame the interpretation.
I know plenty of Muslims who only cover their hair, like Jewish women are supposed to (I think).
Religion can create stability and a bond between nations, and a focus of energy and something to work towards. Just give them 50 years and they'll all be fine. Not hating, just love.

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M35MT - 1/23/2008 9:52:14 AMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Yes, religion is the direct cause of all conflict and provides blind/false hope. It impedes progress. Mind you, this has nothing to with being 'spiritual'...that's different, you dont need a church, laws, rules, popes, etc to do that.

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Porschinator - 1/22/2008 7:01:55 PM

+3 Boost

"Fouzia al-Ayouni, the Saudi Arabia’s most prominent women’s rights campaigner, has risked arrest by leading groups of women drivers." Kind of reminds me of the whole Civil Rights movement with Rosa Parks refusing to sit in the back of the bus.

I can't say what is right or wrong since it is a cultural thing over there regarding women. Similar to segregation not that long ago in the States. Definitely a one sided affair. Always been hard for women to put up with lazy men to drive them when needed...lol.

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no1listensanyway - 1/22/2008 10:49:32 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Thats a great picture.

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MaindrianPace - 1/23/2008 12:26:57 PM

+2 Boost

Well, I wouldnt want to go dis-respecting any specific religeon... I'd just say that ALL religeon is flawed...

However, this is obviously a positive step for this country and in isolation is should be recognised as a good thing... however in the grand scheme of things it seems they may still have a long way to go.

.. and PS, I believe they can't complain about other ethnic/geographic/religeous groups dis-respecting them, when they do not even show respect for those of their own.

.. and PPS, there are so many Haters on Autospies that will be offensive just based on what kind of car you drive.. what chance does religeon stand!!!!!!!!

reply to this comment

corelink - 1/24/2008 2:26:34 PM

+2 Boost

I read through these posted comments and ignorance once again manifests itself. Religions and culture are two separate different entities. The way Islam is practiced in Saudi Arabia is different then a country such as; Turkey. This is inherent in the USA with Catholicism. You don’t even need to travel outside of our borders to witness this.

With this being said, if you want to exercise you opinion, do it with respect and dignity and know that the focal point is culture, not religion. Leave the talks of religion and its respective decree for the blissful ignorant.

reply to this comment

farabira1 - 1/24/2008 9:05:58 PM

+2 Boost

thanks corelink, at last someone has spoken like a human being. Who cares about religious identity, Religion should be strictly personal, let's stay peacefully and work together for the well being of our societies and the future of humanity.

reply to this comment

M53R - 1/26/2008 4:00:23 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

True, and I still fail to understand why people hate Muslims.

Everytime a muslim does something wrong, they acuse religion, but when a jew, christian, ANYONE, does anything wrong, religion doesnt get brought up. Why?

Agent009

You removed my post which was NOT bad mouthing any religion, while you kept many others. Thats nice of you.

henbmw - 1/25/2008 7:42:35 PM

+1 Boost

I would love to drive there

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