Dulu sebelum Islam berjaya di Tanah Arab, kaum perempuan ada yang jadi konglomerat, ada yang jadi Ratu, dan bahkan ikut berperang dengan menunggang onta serta kuda.
Kok kini mereka malah tidak diperbolehkan menyetir mobil dan larangan-larangan lain yang mengekang kaum wanita Arab? salam, rd ----- Original Message ----- From: Sunny To: Undisclosed-Recipient:; Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2008 7:21 AM Subject: [mediacare] The good Saudi woman and the car http://www.arabnews.com/?page=13§ion=0&article=112124&d=26&m=7&y=2008 Saturday 26 July 2008 (22 Rajab 1429 The good Saudi woman and the car Jaheerah Bint Abdullah Al-Masaad | Al-Watan - A young Saudi girl drove her brother's car and was caught in the act. Notice, I have not made any reference to a "crime." Necessary action was taken against her. What was the necessary action in this case? This involved interrogating the "wrongdoer." Notice again I have not made any reference to a "criminal." Her guardian was summoned and was made to pledge that she would not repeat this "act." She was set free and went home. This news item, which was recently published in some newspapers, was not the first of its kind. Similar news items have been published, indicating there is an increase in the number of cases of women driving cars. So this story will not be the last. The issue of women driving is not the most important issue in Saudi society, nor is it Saudi women's only cause, but it was brought to the forefront by the way it has been projected in the press. In an interview published in one of the local dailies, the official in charge of traffic regulations said the police are only authorized to detain women drivers and prevent them from driving. He added that the traffic police are not tasked with permitting or legalizing women driving, and that it is neither an executive organ nor a legislative entity. His last sentence is right. However, the notion that the issue of women driving in Saudi Arabia is a social issue puts the traffic police in an unenviable position. How can a woman driving her guardian be arrested and then the same guardian, who is supposed to prevent her from doing so, be summoned to bail her out? Therefore, I hope the new traffic system will be keen to gain people's respect and be transparent in dealing with the public. It would be appreciated if a traffic police spokesman would take the initiative to clarify such incidents instead of leaving it to newspapers to publish them with all the journalistic sensationalism and suspense. It would also be appreciated if the traffic police would follow the steps of the Interior Ministry, which issues press statements through its official spokesman on all cases and issues. It would be good for the Traffic Department to deal with the public as a partner who understands and appreciates and not just as a news receptor. Women who are enthusiastic to drive should at the present moment observe the general interest rather than give in to the joy of driving. The repeated attempts, which have all failed, would not bring any good. Rather, they are just like pebbles thrown in a pond that create ripples and fade. They may do more harm than good. It is prudent not to lose your case if you cannot defend it. Do not bang your head against the wall, but rather search for a safe passage, even if it takes longer. There is a big difference between courage and recklessness. There is also a big difference between boldness and imprudence. There is no doubt a huge difference between citizenship and bargaining. We pray to Almighty Allah to be good citizens
