Is the head of the Islamic Culture Department correct when he says women should not drive?
The link to the video (watch it ’til the end):
http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1475#
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The link to the transcript (read it to the end):
http://www.memritv.org/Transcript.asp?P1=1475
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The snip:
Dr. Sleiman Al-’Eid, head of the Islamic culture department at King Saud University: Driving will lead women to leave their homes a lot, whether they need to or not. In principle, women should stay at home, as everybody knows.
[...]
In addition, this might lead women to wear make-up and uncover their faces. Even if you say that women will drive covered by a niqab, or dressed modestly, and so on, this will gradually lead her to uncover her face. This will also encourage her to be disobedient. There is no doubt that women will eventually be photographed, and these photos will be shown to other people – whether the traffic police or other who need to look at these photos, for identification or nay other purpose. This will lead women to mix with men.
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7 Responses
Curious1usa
08 Feb 2010
Adam
08 Feb 2010
The opinion that women should not drive is the minority opinion. If the woman is driving for a genuine need, the most scholars see no problem with it…I have always asked "the prophet Muhammad’s (saws) wife Khadija(ra) was a business owner and merchant. I am assuming she rode a horse or camel as was the means of transport. She is one of the 4 best women ever, and she was not rebuked for doing this….I am Not a scholar however….but that is how I would phrase the question to the scholars that do have this opinion.
tacmedwarrior
08 Feb 2010
Guess this will depend on if the answer comes from an Islamic or American. Both would be interesting as well as some are Americanized. Most Amer esp women would say they should be able to drive, work, read, teach, walk alone, etc. But in the Islamic cultures these are taboo. I can see where it would be seen as leading to disobedience. All I can say is its another reason I am so glad I was born in the US.
Brikar99
08 Feb 2010
Limiting the simple rights of women, who can drive, who can go outside wearing what, is a ludicrous invention of men that has nothing to do with religion or culture… and everything to do with CONTROL.
He’s wrong. He can point to his religion or his cultural upbringing all he wants, but the simple truth is he puts others down to raise himself up.
Ambivalence
08 Feb 2010
Well, if your goal is to keep women at home and/or covered under concealing fabric, I suppose women driving would be a step away from your goal. Yeah, if you’re going to have women driving, it makes sense to issue them driver’s licenses by which they may be clearly identified. And yes, if a person can drive, they do tend to get out more; it sure kept me at home a lot when I relied on my husband to drive me places. I think he’s right about the consequences of women driving. Of course, I see equality and the abilty to show one’s face as a good thing.
Kevin J
08 Feb 2010
Yeah he’s right.
And women cant drink
or eat
or talk
or have periods
or babies
That’s ignorant cuz they can’t drive since they can’t see, and those men aren’t man enough to let their women show their faces!
bob shark
08 Feb 2010
Sorry, Your Question is too long to read
But If I get the Gist of It, This is my answer,
All Humans , are basically the same except for their sexuall organs, Why would sexual organs make one inferior,? Why can’t anyone do whatever they want? All people should be independant, and be able to work, study, make choices that fit their thought processsess. And to not Drive??that is the minimum of the talents they should be encouraged to put forth. I am Not A Feminist, I just beleive All people should be allowed to attain their potential, AS THEY SEE IT.
Driving is dangerous enough in Saudi Arabia as it is, with only men driving.