Faith

Muslim Woman Tragically Dies in Car Crash While Protesting Saudi Driving Ban

Muslim Woman Dies Defying Saudi Driving BanIn May 2011, we brought you the story of Manal al-Sherif, a brave Saudi activist who went out of her way to defy the kingdom’s female driving ban. Tragically, a woman who was inspired to follow in her footsteps died over the weekend after a 4×4 she was riding in overturned.

The unnamed woman, a passenger in the car, was killed instantly, while the female driver was hospitalized with injuries.

“One woman was immediately killed and her companion who was driving the car was hospitalised after she suffered several injuries,” said Abdulaziz al-Zunaidi, a police spokesman.

This is the latest development in the fight against Saudi Arabia’s ban on women drivers. The nation is the only one in the world that refuses to offer this right, though females continue to take great risks by purposefully acting against the restriction.

You may recall that al-Sherif posted a video of herself driving on Facebook and YouTube last year. As a result, she was arrested and held by Saudi authorities for 10 days. In the clip, she was seen driving around the city of Khobar, while chatting about the ban.

Here’s the original video:

And here’s a translated version:

Al-Sharif was also among a group of women who started a Facebook page called “Teach me how to drive so I can protect myself,” which urges authorities to lift the driving ban, while working to inspire others to join the cause.

“This is a volunteer campaign to help the girls of this country” learn to drive, al-Sharif says in the video. “At least for times of emergency, God forbid. What if whoever is driving them gets a heart attack?”

She has gone on to become a hero, as she inspired others to get behind the wheel in an effort to defeat the ban. Saudi Arabia has no written law barring women from driving – only fatwas, or religious edicts, by senior clerics following a strict brand of Islam known as Wahhabism.

In September, another woman — Shaima Ghassaniya — was found guilty of driving without the government’s permission. While she was condemned to have 10 lashes for her purported actions, the government inevitably overturned the sentence.

The kingdom, despite protests, has continued to defend the ban. A report from academics last year, as reported by the Telegraph, came to some bizarre conclusions about why women shouldn’t be allowed to drive:

It pointed out that “moral decline” could already be seen in those other Muslim countries in which women are allowed to drive.

In the report Prof Subhi described sitting in a coffee shop in an unnamed Arab state where “all the women were looking at me”.

“One made a gesture that made it clear that she was available,” he said. “This is what happens when women are allowed to drive.”

For females, traveling — even by cab — can be especially difficult, especially considering that some taxis will refuse to drive them if they are without a male chaperone.

(H/T: Daily Mail)

Comments (44)

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  • KangarooJack
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:41pm

    The Middle East where if a woman ventures outside without her ankles covered she is subject to beatings from the Moral Police? China where if a woman actually carries a 2nd pregnancy to term she is considered an Enemy of the State???

    I’m sorry. WE ARE NOT POWERLESS! Women MOTHERS unite!!! My catchphrase?

    “He’s gotta sleep sometime”

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
    • AB5r
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:40pm

      In Islamic countries it would mean instant death for a woman to attack her husband because she would have nowhere to run after unlike in a Judeo-Christian society where she could turn herself in to police and have a trial. In Islam her own family would kill her for their honor, or if by some miracle she got to court her testimony wouldn’t count for anything and they would kill her. Islam is the problem, no one individual or group can stand up to it or resist it. That is why we cannot allow Islam in the West, even our so-called rights will not be able to change or resist Islam, our cute little laws and constitutions will be crushed by the sheer weight of a RELIGION that KILLS to get what it demands.

      Report Post » AB5r  
    • Physicist_In_Training
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:32pm

      I’ve been getting all sorts of Grad school invitations lately, and the only ones that I refuse to even look at are those coming from Far East University, located in Saudi Arabia. As an American woman who is studying physics, I don’t think I would have a pleasant experience in a country like that.

      Report Post » Physicist_In_Training  
    • WWFSMD
      Posted on January 31, 2012 at 10:24am

      @AB5R Let us not forget that Christianity killed to get what it demanded throughout its entire history….

      Report Post »  
  • AB5r
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:22pm

    While it is right to condemn Muslim men for keeping their societies enslaved under Islam, it is truly tragic and sad for the women and children who have no choice in the matter, and it isn’t just that their life here on earth is ruined, they face eternity in Hell in the next life for having been a follower of the evil Mohamet. The West should not try to nation build as we did in Iraq but we should push for human rights including the right of anyone to choose their religion or leave Islam is they want without being killed.

    Report Post » AB5r  
  • paleoman
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:58pm

    A dead muslim, OK is that good news or bad news?

    Report Post »  
    • AB5r
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:18pm

      It is sad because she died without Christ and therefore faces eternity in Hell, as do all followers of the evil Mohamet.

      Report Post » AB5r  
    • WWFSMD
      Posted on January 31, 2012 at 10:07am

      Please turn off you’re computer and save us from your ignorance

      Report Post »  
  • DividedWeFail
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:35pm

    Not interested.

    The USA needs to STAY OUT of other country issues and RESOLVE our own.

    Report Post »  
  • BannedByHuffpo
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 5:07pm

    Did anybody check to see if she was wearing a jihadi suicide explosive vest?

    Report Post » BannedByHuffpo  
  • term limits for congress
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 3:24pm

    From a man-made global warming greenhouse gas perspective, it make sense to stop women from getting behind the wheel.

    Report Post »  
    • pavnvet
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 4:36pm

      This is what happens when we let anyone drive that ends up killing themselves…that is, a dead driver. Gee get over it. Who listens to a country where a camel has the right of way on the road, but a woman has no right to be on the road? And these people are our friends? Why? Oh yea, that oil thingy.

      Report Post » pavnvet  
  • karen162
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 3:09pm

    Unfortunately, this is one of the nicer things that men impose upon women in that country.

    Personally, I quit caring how they treat their women or each other. You aren’t going to change them.

    Report Post » karen162  
  • Kerri g
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 2:57pm

    And just how does a women driving correlate with country wide moral decline?I am college educated but I seem to have missed something.
    Also, how does a woman driving correlate with a woman comming on to a man ? Sorry, I just don’t get it. Seems that’s the point. I do recall an islamic clerik saying somthing that women did acually causeed the eathquake in their country. Really? Must have missed that in my college classes aswell.
    What a bunch of idiots! And Muslims really beleive this tripe? Would rather think it is just the way they keep control over the little woman, because I can’t wrap my mind around having soooo many ignorant people in the world.

    Report Post »  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 5:55pm

      Look at the USA…Woman drive….We are now morally bankrupt….can’t you see the connection? Oh, yeah, also cleavage causes earthquakes as well.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
  • Delores at CH WV
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 2:56pm

    At least this woman died free of opressive, male domination! America needs to stand up for REAL HUMAN RIGHTS around the world! Al-Sharif may you rest in peace! One wonders if this car accident was an accident? Only God knows and He will see to Justice for our women and children abused by these oppressive governments. My prayers are for your friends and family.

    Report Post »  
  • qzak491
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 2:43pm

    SEE If she hadn’t been the car she would be alive now. Just another woman protester thinking she knows it all and wants her way.

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 1:55pm

    .
    She was seen beating the dash with a Camel Whip, Yelling Stop & turn Left………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • Marcia
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 1:48pm

    This is a shame. Poor woman probably died in vain as the men there will look at this as Allah’s will and use it as a warning against other women trying the same thing.

    Report Post »  
  • ThePostman
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 1:17pm

    The Saudis can do as they please, it is none of my business. I seriously doubt they are clamoring for us to have more abortions to increase our “women’s rights” to murder.

    After all, if a Muslim hates us, they would be very much pro-abortion – it has killed 54 million americans so far. Far more than Osama Bin Laden could ever hope to kill with every Jihadi ever born.

    Report Post »  
    • reasonablerhetoric
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:00pm

      That’d mean millions more on food stamps, welfare, etc. Thank God 50 some odd million American‘s weren’t born; this place would be in even more trouble than it already is.

      Report Post »  
  • conservativeblackman
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:58pm

    I’d like to have cheaper insurance, cant we ban women like the Saudis to cut down on the wrecks here as well. Ha

    Report Post » conservativeblackman  
  • Regdunlop
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:52pm

    Well, we know she wasn’t distracted while fixing her hair or make up. Maybe the old burka has a place.
    Just kidding, calm down.

    Report Post »  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 1:00pm

      Ok, from what they say in this article, letting women drive is supposed to make them horny?…..Well then, I think I’m going to send the wife to the store to buy groceries…..the one that’s 30 miles away, and not the one that’s just down the street…..then, we shall see what happens……bwhhaaa hhaaah hhaaaa haaaa!!!!

      Report Post » TXPilot  
  • larrylarrylarry
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:41pm

    The women are indoctrinated into Islam yet they want what Allah forbids. As more and more Muslim women become suicide bombers I say keep them off the streets.

    Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:39pm

    They should teach women how to drive here too…… Just kidding ladies…

    Report Post »  
    • valarie
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:12am

      LOL! I knew I would find a “woman driver” joke if I looked hard enough. You are forgiven ;)

      Report Post » valarie  
  • rotcarpenter
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:38pm

    Well, they had to be right about something sooner or later. Zing!

    Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:28pm

    As an on the road salesman for over thirty years , the absolute worst drivers were the Asian Females. I seldom saw burqa clad women driving. Before you scream at me for this racist comment, TS

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • ZomBrad
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:28pm

    Wait….women are literally second class citizens in the muslim world? But…but….but I thought America was the most oppressive country in the world!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • LogicalMetaphysician
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:21pm

    I’m not supposed to laugh, right?

    Report Post » LogicalMetaphysician  
  • democritusoilder267
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:18pm

    God bless!

    Report Post » democritusoilder267  
  • itsmyfirstday
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:18pm

    Coming to America soon….

    Report Post » itsmyfirstday  
  • mrsmileyface
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:17pm

    I take an extra large Irony….with a side of ROFL.

    Report Post » mrsmileyface  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:14pm

    Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. ;-)

    Report Post » Gonzo  
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