Dr. M. C. Gupta's Journal

WHY WOMEN CAN’T DRIVE IN SAUDI ARABIA?

WHY WOMEN CAN’T DRIVE IN SAUDI ARABIA?


  [How the Muslim mind might work when confronted with this question.]











This query occurred to me when I read the following news item:





http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/03/05/saudi.arabia.woman.driver/index.ht...








(CNN) -- Police in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca Wednesday arrested a woman for violating the country's ban on women driving, according to the Saudi English-language daily Arab News.





The woman, whose nationality and name were not released but who was described as being in her 20s, attempted to flee when she realized police had spotted her driving, Saudi authorities said.





"The woman tried to escape when she saw a police car and in the process hit another car, which was slightly damaged," Maj. Abdul Mushin Al-Mayman, a police spokesman, told Arab News. According to the spokesman, the woman was turned over to the Saudi Prosecution and Investigation Commission for investigation.





Women are barred from driving in most of Saudi Arabia, with rural areas being the exception.





It is not known how frequent such arrests are in Saudi Arabia, and arrest statistics are not released.





The issue has become one of the more controversial ones for Saudi Arabia in recent years. While women's rights activists in the country have been openly campaigning for the right to drive, many high ranking officials maintain it is a societal issue and will be resolved only when Saudis feel the time is right.





Last year, more than 125 women signed and sent a petition to Saudi Interior Minister Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, asking that the ban on women driving in the kingdom to be overturned.





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Frankly, I think the above is outrageous. I think this news-item illustrates pretty well the chasm that exists between modernity and Islam, particularly the Wahabi brand of Islam that inspires  Saudi Arabia and  the Taliban. I wonder what would the Wahabi Muslims say If somebody asks them why the women should not drive. Possibly, the discussion might proceed along the following lines --








Q-- Why are women not allowed to drive?


A--It is against Islamic law.





Q— What is Islamic law?


A— It is the law of the Quran.





Q-- Were there any cars in Quranic times?


A--No, but there were horses and women were not allowed to ride a horse. So, how can they be allowed to drive a car?





Q--If a woman owns a car but cannot afford a chauffeur, what should she do?


A—It is not a question of affording a chauffeur. Even if she can afford one, she cannot go in the car alone in a chauffeur-driven car.





Q— Why?


A— Because as per Islamic law, she can go out of the home only with a close relative like husband, father or brother.





Q—Is it not unjust and oppressive to women?


A—No. It is for the safety of women.





Q—What if the woman does not need that safety and can manage things herself? Maybe she prefers to carry a gun. Should Islamic law not be changed?


A—No, it can’t be changed. Islamic law flows from Quran and Quran cannot be changed the slightest bit. Quoran is God’s word and is unchangeable. Any talk of not abiding by the Quran is pure blasphemy.





Q— What is the punishment for blasphemy in Islam?


A— Death.





Q—Come on. Between you and me, what is wrong with women driving a car?


A— OK. Strictly speaking, between you and me, there are two very clear reasons. Firstly, it will be rather difficult to manage a woman who can drive. Just imagine, if the husband beats the wife too much, she may decide that enough is enough and may just fly out in rage in her car. Secondly, a young woman in a car will not only be driving the car but will also drive the young men crazy. And, you know, double driving is illegal in Saudi Arabia.








M C Gupta


6 March 2009