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Saudi Woman Celebrates International Women’s Day By Driving Car- Please Watch This Video
March 12th 2008 07:00
I love stories like this. When people complain to me that lefties and feminists in the West are ignoring the plight of women in hard-line Islamic countries, I point out to them that one of the best things we can do is show our support of women activists in the Islamic world. I have long held the view that any change to Islam must come from Islam. Interference from Westerners only increases fundamentalist thought. In this vein, much has been said about the celebrated Afghan politician Malai Joya, one of the first women elected to Parliament in 2005 and the subject of the documentary Enemies of Happiness.
In a previous post of mine, International Women’s Day…But Have You Really Come A Long Way Baby?? I express my hopes that women in the Muslim world would soon enjoy more of what should be their fundamental human rights.
Well, youtube is now featuring a Saudi woman defying authorities and daring to drive a car in public, an activity which is strictly forbidden in the Saudi Kingdom.
The driver, Wajeha Huwaider, talks to a camera operated by her sister as she drives her car around the Saudi countryside. She states that many women are able to drive cars and are supported by their male relatives. The video was posted on the internet to draw international attention to the plight of Saudi women and in the hope that Saudi authorities would be persuaded to lift their ban on female drivers.
Conservatives are resisting any reforms stating it would lead to more mingling between the two sexes but two leading Islamic scholars have weighed in on the debate saying there is no reason for the ban to continue. King Abdullah has previously stated that he expects the ban to be lifted within his lifetime. Huwaider and her fellow activists hope it will come much sooner- by International Woman’s Day 2009.
Please, please, please watch this video. Tell all your friends about it. Support these women who are so desperately fighting for the rights and liberties we take for granted. And please keep in mind that this woman has risked such a hefty penalty to bring this video to you.
(Please note, this is the CNN version of the video)
(And I can't seem to embed it so just follow the really long link below)
Really Long Link
In a previous post of mine, International Women’s Day…But Have You Really Come A Long Way Baby?? I express my hopes that women in the Muslim world would soon enjoy more of what should be their fundamental human rights.
Well, youtube is now featuring a Saudi woman defying authorities and daring to drive a car in public, an activity which is strictly forbidden in the Saudi Kingdom.
The driver, Wajeha Huwaider, talks to a camera operated by her sister as she drives her car around the Saudi countryside. She states that many women are able to drive cars and are supported by their male relatives. The video was posted on the internet to draw international attention to the plight of Saudi women and in the hope that Saudi authorities would be persuaded to lift their ban on female drivers.
Conservatives are resisting any reforms stating it would lead to more mingling between the two sexes but two leading Islamic scholars have weighed in on the debate saying there is no reason for the ban to continue. King Abdullah has previously stated that he expects the ban to be lifted within his lifetime. Huwaider and her fellow activists hope it will come much sooner- by International Woman’s Day 2009.
Please, please, please watch this video. Tell all your friends about it. Support these women who are so desperately fighting for the rights and liberties we take for granted. And please keep in mind that this woman has risked such a hefty penalty to bring this video to you.
(Please note, this is the CNN version of the video)
(And I can't seem to embed it so just follow the really long link below)
Really Long Link
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