Women Driving in Saudi

The women of Saudi Arabia are again challenging the ban that prevents them from obtaining driver’s license. Over the weekend approximately 50 women around the Gulf nation took to the wheel, some making videos of themselves and posting them on YouTube.

Last month seven women were arrested for driving, including Manal al-Sharif who was held for 10 days and forced to sign a pledge not to drive before being released. This time around, the Saudi police seemed to be adopting a policy of studious ignorance, though there were a few reports of tickets being issued for driving without a licence. (Since women cannot obtain driving licenses in Saudi Arabia, most were relying on foreign or international driver’s licenses if challenged.) There has been speculation that King Abdullah instructed police not to intervene.

For the rest of my blog about the Saudi Women for Driving protest, including their letter to Hillary Clinton asking for her public support, head on over to The Independent's blog site.