A couple of weeks ago, I found this article on Jadaliyya, an amazing online magazine on middle eastern affairs. It contained a manifesto which called women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to stand up and drive their cars, starting june 17th. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are not permitted to drive.
The manifesto, the attached movement was founded by young Saudi Manal Alsharif. She posted a video on youtube, set up a Facebook page and started the campaign. The campaign's manifesto states that there is no evidence in the saudi constitution or the Qur'an that women shouldn't be permitted to drive. Lots of women in the kingdom cannot afford to pay a driver, and they are not allowed to ride on public transport.
„Great“, I thought! I'm all for driving, and even more so for the sisters in Saudi Arabia. Let's see what comes out of this!
Then, a few days ago, I read on al Jazeera, that Manal had been detained for launching the campaign. According to al Jazeera, she has been released shortly after, but on the campaign's Facebook page you can read that AlSharif is still in police custody.
To support Manal, please visit the Facebook page, share this article, sign the online petition! Just spread the word! It's just a travesty that a girl who simply wants to drive, with no intention of disrespecting anyone, has to be held in custody!
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