Decree allowing women to drive is ‘landmark in the history of Saudi women’

The Shoura Council holds its 54th ordinary session in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Updated 28 September 2017
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Decree allowing women to drive is ‘landmark in the history of Saudi women’

RIYADH: The Shoura Council has expressed its appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the issuance of the royal decree on traffic law provisions and its executive regulations, including the issuance of driving licenses to both males and females.
Addressing the regular 54th session of the council, Deputy House Speaker Mohammed Al-Jafri said the royal decree achieves the aspirations of many female citizens in line with applicable Islamic and regulatory measures.
Meanwhile, the council approved amendments on the basic rules of social houses and care centers, and rehabilitation programs for the disabled.
The council also approved the addition of an article and two new provisions to the above basic rules that will authorize the Ministry of Labor and Social Development to care for certain groups of society who are unable to care for themselves and protect their rights.
The Committee on Economy and Energy called on the Saudi Exports Development Authority (SEDA) to achieve integration and coordination between the SEDA and Saudi commercial missions abroad to increase the volume of Saudi exports.
Among other recommendations, the committee asked the SEDA to study the possibility of becoming a self-funded entity from services it is providing to private sector companies.
Commenting on the committee’s recommendations, one member stressed the need to raise the rate of non-oil exports in line with Vision 2030.
On another topic, the Committee on Water, Agriculture and Environment asked the Saline Water Conversion Corp. (SWCC) to establish small-scale desalination plants along the coasts and purification plants on the banks of dams using renewable energy.
The committee also asked the SWCC to evaluate its long-term developmental plan to shift from the desalination stage to develop and localize the desalination industry.
Commenting on the committee’s report, one member affirmed the importance of localizing the desalination industry, while another member called for devising practical solutions to minimize costs of desalination and distribution of water.
Another member stressed the need to exploit solar energy in desalination operations while another member called for preparing a strategy to ensure a continued supply of desalinated water.

Women members
Meanwhile, Thuraya Al-Rayyed, a Shoura member, said: “It’s wonderful news and it’s for time us to celebrate the happy occasion.”
Women will feel that they have received their long-awaited rights that will help them do their work independently without depending on the traditional chauffeurs, Al-Rayyed noted.
She described it as a wise decision of the Saudi leadership which has been taken after considering the tremendous developments that are taking place within the country.
The Shoura member further said that she is thankful to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and their advisers to have made such a fruitful decision which would make a positive influence on society as well as the economy of the country.
Another Shoura member, Noura Al-Shaaban, also affirmed that the decision by King Salman allowing women to drive is a landmark in the history of Saudi women and keeps pace with the current stage.
Speaking to Arab News Mohamed Al-Khunaizi, a senior member of the Shoura Council, welcomed the royal decree allowing women to drive in the Kingdom.
Describing it as a “historic decision” Al-Khunaizi thanked King Salman for issuing this decree which led people to the streets celebrating the landmark decision.
“This is a forward-looking decision in a string of social and economic reforms underway in the Kingdom,” he said, adding that “this decision is in line with the National Transformation Program (NTP-2020) and Saudi Vision 2030.”
Welcoming the decision Al-Khunaizi further underscored that “this will give equal opportunity for women to drive like men,” which is important.
There are a lot of families who depend on house drivers or taxis for their transport needs. He pointed that this was long awaited and good news for women as well as men.
“Now, women can drive safely on their own,” he said adding, “this is why I believe it is a great decision toward modernization and development.”
Meanwhile, the Council of Senior Scholars commended the royal order to apply the traffic laws and the executive regulations including the issuance of driving licenses to both males and females.
The council in a statement pointed out that fatwas of all scholars concerning women’s driving of vehicles focused on the interests and evils, but not on driving in itself which is not forbidden by anyone.
Praising the decision, Mona Salahuddin Al-Munajjed, a sociologist, and the author of “Saudi Women,” told Arab News Wednesday: “Allowing women to drive is a wonderful and very positive step toward the advancement and empowerment of Saudi women.”
This will introduce big changes in the Kingdom and on the social as well as economic level, she added.
Dania Al-Maeena, chief executive office of the Al-Oula Non-profit Organization for Charity, told Arab News that it was a dream come true for women in Saudi Arabia.
Describing it as a positive transition toward empowering women in the Kingdom, Al-Maeena said that the women, who are mothers, students, teachers and working in offices will be able to drive their vehicles on their own without depending on domestic drivers who were extra burden on the family budget.
“We welcome this wise decision of King Salman, who is a visionary leader having the youthful exuberance of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman as part of his team. This is fabulous for the fulfillment of Vision 2030,” Amir Qayyum, director of business development at a private establishment, told Arab News.
Appreciating the landmark decision, Halah Al-Hamrani, owner of FlagBoxing, told Arab News that it was a pleasant surprise.
“Women driving was the only problem in the Kingdom. Having realized the growing needs of women, the new leadership has launched the new system which would allow women to drive their vehicles in the Kingdom,” said Al-Hamrani, the only Saudi female kickboxing and boxing trainer in the Kingdom.
She also thanked King Salman and others who were responsible for this move.


Eastern Region’s green initiative shows remarkable progress

Updated 09 January 2025
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Eastern Region’s green initiative shows remarkable progress

  • Initiative has focused on introducing climate-appropriate trees and flowers
  • Eastern Province Municipality emphasized the project’s collaborative nature

DAMMAM: Significant strides were made by the Eastern Province Municipality last year in its efforts towards vegetation expansion and anti-desertification.

The initiative, designed to counter industrial pollution, improve air quality and move towards environmental sustainability, has focused on introducing climate-appropriate trees and flowers while adhering to scientific afforestation guidelines and controls.

Throughout the year, the municipality launched 87 initiatives involving more than 1,200 volunteers across 60 parks. This included the Dammam Corniche waterfront and its walking trails where some 680,000 trees and shrubs were planted, complemented by 7.7 million flowers, expanding green coverage by 205,000 sq. meters.

Work was also carried out to rehabilitate streets and other spaces, while technical upgrades included maintenance work on 200 pumps and the installation of irrigation networks covering 30 km of streets.

There was also progress for the park investment program, with four parks already under investment management and 400 more designated for future opportunities.

The municipality emphasized the project’s collaborative nature, highlighting the active participation of community members, government bodies and the private sector companies. Its inclusive approach aims to cultivate a lasting environmental consciousness and ensure sustainability practices are passed down to future generations.


Riyadh to host second edition of Model of Care Forum

Updated 09 January 2025
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Riyadh to host second edition of Model of Care Forum

  • Forum aims to introduce the Saudi healthcare model locally and internationally, highlight success stories, and outline future goals and ambitions
  • Forum represents the second phase in a four-part strategic process in the healthcare sector’s transformation

RIYADH: Riyadh will host the second edition of the Model of Care Forum under the patronage of Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel.

Organised by the Health Holding Co. on Jan. 28-29, the forum will be held at Malfa Hall in Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City.

The forum aims to introduce the Saudi healthcare model locally and internationally, highlight success stories, and outline future goals and ambitions in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.

It also promotes partnership in healthcare among individuals and their families by taking necessary measures to maintain their health, ensuring the provision of healthcare that meets societal needs according to the highest quality standards.

The forum represents the second phase in a four-part strategic process in the healthcare sector’s transformation, aimed at developing the healthcare model in the Kingdom.

The Health Holding Co. is playing a key role in enabling healthcare delivery through 20 health clusters across Saudi Arabia.


Directorate imposes new exit visa requirement

Updated 09 January 2025
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Directorate imposes new exit visa requirement

  • Directorate addressed employers, stating that if a resident identity is valid for fewer than 30 days, the final exit visa may not be issued
  • Resident identity must be renewed for the issuance of the final exit visa

RIYADH: The Saudi General Directorate of Passports has said that resident identities must be valid for at least 30 days when applying for a final exit visa.

The directorate addressed employers, stating that if a resident identity is valid for fewer than 30 days, the final exit visa may not be issued. In that case, the resident identity must be renewed for the issuance of the final exit visa.

It noted that if a resident identity is valid for more than 30 days and fewer than 60 days, a final exit visa may be issued for the resident identity’s remaining period.

If the resident identity is valid for 60 days or more, the final exit visa may be issued for 60 days only.

The directorate noted that employers may issue final exit visas for their sponsored workers or affiliated family members through the Ministry of Interior’s Absher Business platform, and the Muqeem portal.


Saudi king and crown prince congratulate Joseph Aoun on being elected president of Lebanon

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 09 January 2025
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Saudi king and crown prince congratulate Joseph Aoun on being elected president of Lebanon

  • In a congratulatory cable, King Salman wished Aoun success and the Lebanese people further progress and prosperity

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Joseph Aoun on being elected president of Lebanon on Thursday.

In a congratulatory cable, King Salman wished Aoun success and the Lebanese people further progress and prosperity.The crown prince sent a similar cable.

Lebanon’s parliament voted Thursday to elect the country’s army commander, Joseph Aoun, as head of state, filling a more than two-year-long presidential vacuum.

Thursday’s session was the 13th attempt to elect a successor to Michel Aoun, whose term ended in October 2022.


King Abdulaziz Public Library launches Thara Saudi, Athar initiatives

The Thara Saudi and Athar initiatives are launched at the third Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh. (Supplied)
Updated 09 January 2025
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King Abdulaziz Public Library launches Thara Saudi, Athar initiatives

  • Through Thara Saudi the KAPL offers a number of programs that contribute to highlighting cultural tourism
  • Athar is an interactive platform inspired by one of the pioneering national documentation projects, “The Encyclopedia of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”

RIYADH: General Supervisor of the King Abdulaziz Public Library Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muammar launched the Thara Saudi and Athar initiatives at the third Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh.

Through Thara Saudi the KAPL offers a number of programs that contribute to highlighting cultural tourism, while Athar is an interactive platform inspired by one of the pioneering national documentation projects, “The Encyclopedia of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Speaking at the launch, Muammar said: “The Thara Saudi Arabia is the initiative through which the library seeks to provide a distinctive cultural tourism experience that reflects the rich and diverse history and culture of the Kingdom and aims to present a sustainable vision that contributes to enhancing local culture in global languages.

“It comes as an expression of the efforts of 40 years of cultural and cognitive work, which created a national legacy and a sustainable impact,” added Muammar.

He said the KAPL also launched the Athar initiative, which represents the historical monuments and landmarks mentioned in the encyclopedia of Saudi Arabia, enabling tourists to discover the Kingdom in an unprecedented way.

This project is designed to enhance the Kingdom’s position as a global destination for cultural tourism, and reflects the great diversity Saudi Arabia enjoys.

Through its pavilion at the Saudi Tourism Forum, which was held from Jan. 7-9 at the Riyadh Front, the KAPL seeks to enhance cultural awareness and provide knowledge content that contributes to highlighting the Saudi national heritage, and encourages the exploration of the Kingdom’s unique cultural destinations.

In November the KAPL launched an initiative to position Saudi Arabia as a top global destination for cultural tourism by attracting visitors worldwide to explore the library’s diverse branches.

This project aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by strengthening national identity, fostering cultural exchange, and supporting sustainable development.

Through its efforts, the KAPL seeks to showcase Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, folk arts, and traditions, while deepening citizens’ connections to their cultural roots and contributing to economic diversification.