Driving ban for women? Loujain does not participate
It is a normal picture for us. A young woman is sitting behind the wheel of a car, wearing sunglasses, smiling. But what does not even cause us a shrug is a crime in Saudi Arabia. Because since 1990 there is a ban on driving for women. The clergyman who proclaimed the fatwa at the time fears "temptations" and "social chaos" by moving women.
Although the ban on driving was relaxed somewhat in 2014, a council of the Saudi royal family announced that women would be able to drive themselves in the future - but only if they are over 30, do not wear make-up at the wheel, do not drive after 20 clock and leave of a male relative.
Freedom looks different.
The Saudi Arabian Loujain al-Hathloul does not consider it so restrictive. The 25-year-old is one of Saudi Arabia's many well-educated women. She studied French literature in Canada, where she naturally drove a car.
Although she is very influenced by the West, Loujain loves her country, which she returned to after her studies. But you do not like all the rules in Saudi Arabia.
Protest ride from Abu Dhabi to the border
She wanted to make a sign a few months ago. On the Internet, she called on Saudi women to publish videos of themselves while driving. She herself set an example.
She bought the car for her protest ride in the United Arab Emirates, where she also had her driver's license issued. Then she made her way from Abu Dhabi to the Saudi border. The video and tweets from the ride put her on the net.
The border guards were amazed when Loujain confidently showed them their driver's license. But they still held her tight. After 24 hours, she was finally arrested. Even her friend, who came by to bring her water and food.
Since then, the two women are in prison. According to Amnesty International, Loujain and her friend even have to go to the Special Tribunal for Terrorism.
Terrorism? Because of a drive?
In fact, this special tribunal was founded in 2008 primarily for the speedy condemnation of terrorists. But according to human rights activists, more and more political activists end up in the tribunal.
Officially, Loujain al-Hathloul is not imprisoned because of her drive, but because of her activities on the Internet. Women's rights activists worldwide are now calling for their release. Amnesty International launched a new series on "Strong Women" with the brave Saudi Arabian.
By the way, Loujain is married to the Saudi comedian and activist Hisham Fageeh, according to The Globe and Mail. He made fun of the driving ban with the Bob Marley cover "No Woman, No Drive" and landed an internet hit with millions of likes.
There are apparently many people who are on the side of Saudi women.
No Woman, No Drive from Alaa Wardi on Vimeo.
