A Saudi mother has become a media sensation after defying authorities by becoming the first woman to drive a car openly around Jeddah, a Saudi Arabian city located on the coast of the Red Sea.
Najla Hariri, 45, was spotted driving around the city early May, and so far has not been stopped or questioned by police. She is believed to be the only woman regularly driving in the Saudi city.
In Saudi Arabia women are not allowed to drive cars. The country’s women rights are defined by cultural traditions and religious beliefs particularly Sharia (Islamic Law). Sharia is based on the Qur'an and hadith (teachings of Prophet Muhammad).
For example, according to this law all women regardless of age or status cannot vote or assume high profile political roles. No woman in Saudi Arabia is allowed to walk the streets or go shopping without a male companion - who is often a young boy, brother or nephew.
By challenging the country’s ancient driving laws Ms. Hariri has been brave enough to go where no woman in Saudi Arabia has ever dared – to defy a ban on women drivers in the country.
According to AFP, 16 May, 2011, Ms Hariri, a housewife drove non-stop for four days in the streets of the Red Sea city of Jeddah "to defend her belief that Saudi women should be allowed to drive." "I don't fear being arrested because I am setting an example that my daughter and her friends are proud of," Hariri told AFP, adding she was offering driving lessons for other women.
In an article published by BBC News on May 18, 2011 Michael Buchanan says the mother of five has the blessings of her husband but knows the authorities could stop her any time. Buchanan quoted Ms Hariri saying: "Enough is enough. I have the right to [drive].
"In this society I am a little bit brave. I am not scared," she told the BBC.
Indeed Ms Hariri is a heroine in her country, however it appears some Saudi women are less inclined to support her cause for radical change. Maha Akeel, Managing Editor of Organization of the Islamic Conference Journal (OIC) is a critic of her country's patriarchal practices, but believes Westerners criticize what they do not understand.
She said: "Look, we are not asking for...women's rights according to Western values or lifestyles...We want things according to what Islam says. Look at our history, our role models."
The world and indeed Saudi Arabia will have to wait and see if Najla Hariri’s feat is the beginning of women’s liberation in the country.
Commenting on her twitter account Najla Hariri said: “You have made me a leader and an icon, when I am not any of that. I am just a mother who found herself in need to do something, so I did what I've done without looking for heroic acts or achievements.”
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that prohibits women from driving.
Sources
- Michael Buchanan, "Saudi Arabian seeks to put women in the driving seat" BBC News, May 18, 2011
- AFP, “ Saudi woman defies driving ban ”, May 16, 2011
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