100 days at the wheel ... Saudi women drivers feel exhilarated

Reham Al-Shamrani, from Alkobar admitted to some hesitation before hitting the Saudi streets for the first time. (Supplied photo)
Updated 04 October 2018
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100 days at the wheel ... Saudi women drivers feel exhilarated

  • No male driver has irritated me on the road, they are all cooperative and supportive: female driver
  • The anti-harassment law that accompanied the lifting of the ban meant there was a good atmosphere for women drivers

JEDDAH: Nearly 100 days after women began to drive in Saudi Arabia, Arab News asked new motorists in major cities of the Kingdom for their experiences since the historic lifting of the ban.

The first women to drive in Saudi Arabia have spoken of their relief at being able to be self-reliant. They were full of praise for the way in which the ban was lifted, singling out new traffic laws for creating a safe environment. They referenced the anti-harassment law that accompanied the lifting of the ban, crediting it with creating a safe atmosphere for the wave of new women drivers. 

Saudi women are driving themselves to work, transporting their families around cities — and discovering roads in the main cities of the Kingdom are full of courteous male drivers. One even spoke of the humility of male drivers. 

Not all the experiences were immediately positive. One woman reported a man who tried to crash into her vehicle to the traffic police who quickly arrested him. But even this experience gave her confidence that she would be able to drive safely.

“No male driver has irritated me on the road. They are all cooperative and supportive,” said one.

Dr. Sharifa Al-Rajhi, a professor of statistics at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, has no hesitation in describing what the move means — for her, driving means freedom.

“We had some social obstacles that have long prevented women from driving, despite the fact that Saudi women have achieved great jobs on all levels. To me, driving means that you feel independent,” she said.

She began learning to drive in Florida when she was studying for her higher education programs. Returning to Saudi Arabia, she was “shocked” as she had to have a driver to take her everywhere.

“I had to take my driver’s wishes into consideration otherwise he would refuse to work. He got angry many times and asked to leave. I even beseeched a driver to stay as I needed his services. I have never begged a person like that,” Al-Rajhi said. It was a struggle for her to learn to drive, as her husband tried to give her lessons but it was not a success.

“I do not recommend a woman asks her husband, brother or even relative to teach her how to drive. A relative would easily get stressed over your mistakes, and this will have a negative impact on the trainee. She should seek the assistance of a professional instructor,” she said.

In frustration, she joined a driving school and started lessons with a male instructor in his sixties. “He kept encouraging me until he succeeded... (he managed) to break down my fear in just two hours,” she added.

She was then aged 26 she said that she mastered the basics of driving in a further two hours.

“The most important thing is to overcome fear, and everything else will go smoothly. I did not pass the test the first time due to being a bit reckless, but I made it at the second attempt,” she said.

She expressed gratitude for the royal decree allowing women to drive in Saudi Arabia and noted that the anti-harassment law that accompanied the lifting of the ban meant there was a good atmosphere for women drivers.

“Truly speaking, no male driver has so far irritated or annoyed me on the road. They are all cooperative and supportive. I remember a security man at a checkpoint in the north of Jeddah stopped me and asked for the license and the vehicle’s registration card. I showed them to him. He smiled and said: ‘You are a heroine. You can now go,’” she added. 

Wassal Al-Dosari, from Dammam, described the day the ban was lifted. “On the morning of Sunday, June 24, I drove to work and back home. For the first time in my life, I did all my work myself without being harassed or annoyed,” she said.

She was surprised by what she found — all the male drivers she passed were helpful and encouraging.

“The new traffic laws have contributed to making our first driving experience in our country not only safe but also enjoyable. With these regulations, men drivers have obviously become more attentive, cautious and have shown humble driving behavior,” she said.

She added that the decision to lift the ban on women driving came at the right time, paving the way for women to drive in a secure atmosphere. “I extend my thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince for making Saudi women’s dreams come true.”

Another driver, based in the eastern region, said her father had insisted she join a driving school to learn to drive.

“I was sent to Florida in 2012. When I arrived there, my father insisted that I enroll in a car-driving course. I completed the training hours and succeeded in the first test,” said Dai Al-Eidi, a US university business administration and marketing graduate. She got her license in 2012 and had five years’ driving experience abroad. She learned of the lifting of the ban before returning to the Kingdom.

“I was delighted with the news when I was abroad. I returned to Saudi Arabia and was offered several jobs. I got a job as a driving instructor,” she said.

Before taking up the job, she was asked why she wanted to become an instructor. “My answer was because driving a car in my country has always been a dream that has recently been made a reality.”

She added that she is very proud of the extraordinary support Saudi women are being offered in all fields. She also expressed her gratitude for the leadership for its trust and support.

“We women are all enthusiastic to make our precious country the best,” she added.

Likewise, Ghadeer Tayseer Al-Senan, another female driver from the Eastern Province, spoke of the relief at being able to drive your own car when you want, anywhere you want, without having to worry about how you will get there.

“When King Salman granted women the right to drive, it was an indescribable moment for us as Saudi women because finally a woman can rely on herself to secure her needs,” Al-Senan said. She added that she started driving eight years ago when she was living in the US, where she had her own car.

“I was independent for my rides when I was in the States, and I now know how it feels to have your own car to travel around and do your own rides. My father used to give me lifts, but he got tired of it after many years,” she said.

She has also noticed that male drivers show great respect to female drivers. “The decision is new and it was welcomed by men and women alike. This is quite clear from the female motorists’ joyfulness and the men’s respectful driving behaviors,” she said.

For Alkhobar driver Reham Al-Shamrani, there was some trepidation at first. 

“There was certainly some hesitation and fear and I was wondering if the Saudi street would accept seeing a girl driving. Some eight hours after the decision became effective I picked my sister’s children up on a ride to the nearby supermarket to buy them ice cream,” she recalled.

She said a male driver next to her at a traffic signal looked at her in awe. “Even when the green arrow of the traffic light appeared, he kept stopping where he was for a while. It was an experience I will never forget.” she added.

Similarly, Sarah Al-Sakran, from Riyadh, said at the beginning she found it strange, especially as she was one of the first female drivers to get behind the wheel.

“It was awkward on the street. I had difficulties, so I got annoyed first, but things went well later. No annoyance, no harassment,” she said.


Saudi king, crown prince condemn shooting that killed 10 students in Austrian school

Updated 12 June 2025
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Saudi king, crown prince condemn shooting that killed 10 students in Austrian school

  • Austrian police said the shooter attacked the Dreierschuetzengasse secondary school in Graz region on June 10 before taking his own life
  • Of the eleven people wounded, nine were still in intensive care but in stable condition on Wednesday

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday offered condolences to Austria over a shooting attack that killed 10 and injured 11 at a secondary school, according to the Saudi Press Agency, or SPA.

In a message to Austrian President Alexander van Deir Beilin, King Salman condemned the attack as a “disgraceful criminal act” and expressed “deepest condolences and sincere sympathy” to the people of Austria and relatives of those killed. He also wished the injured “a speedy recovery.” 

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also prime minister of the Kingdom, sent a similar message to the Austrian leader.

Police said the shooter, armed with two legally owned guns — a shotgun and a pistol — attacked the Dreierschuetzengasse secondary school in Graz region on June 10 before taking his own life.

Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen and his partner Doris Schmidauer place flowers at a central square in Graz, southeastern Austria, on June 11, 2025, one day after ten people died in a school shooting in the city. (APA/AFP)

A teacher and nine teenagers aged between 14 and 17, were among the victims, Austrian press agency APA reported.

Of the eleven wounded, nine were still in intensive care but in a stable condition on Wednesday, according to hospital officials.

The shooter was a 21-year-old former pupil at the school in Graz region, but never finished his studies there, local media quoted probers as saying.

During a search at the suspect’s home, police found a “non-functional” homemade bomb, a farewell letter as well as a video message addressed to his mother, none of which offered any clues about his motive.

The government declared three days of mourning for the victims. Church bells rang out across Austria as people stopped in the streets, radio and TV programs were interrupted and public transport was halted.

Media commentators highlighted how easy it is for Austrians to get firearms, and pointed to the relatively high number of weapons in circulation.

People attend a commemoration event to pay their respect at a central square in Graz, southeastern Austria, on June 11, 2025 one day after ten people died in a school shooting in the city. (APA/AFP)    Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen and his partner Doris Schmidauer place flowers at a central square in Graz, southeastern Austria, on June 11, 2025, one day after ten people died in a school shooting in the city. (APA/AFP)

During a visit to Graz, President Van der Bellen said the country was still “in deep, deep shock” following the “abominable... horror we all experienced.”

“If we come to the conclusion that Austria’s gun laws need to be changed to ensure greater safety, then we will do so,” he told a memorial event on Wednesday.

Austrian newspapers ran headlines that read “Why?” and “It’s horrific,” with the daily Kurier opting for a front page all in black. 

Grieving Austrians held tearful memorials for the victims. Mourners cried, hugged and left flowers, candles and letters to the victims in churches and outside the school.

Condolences poured in from leaders across Europe, with Pope Leo XIV offering his “prayers for the victims of the tragedy” at his general audience on Wednesday.

(With AP)


Expert sheds light on historic mosques in Makkah that remain unknown to many

Scattered throughout the city are historic mosques that witnessed pivotal moments in Islamic history. (SPA)
Updated 12 June 2025
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Expert sheds light on historic mosques in Makkah that remain unknown to many

  • Al-Dahas highlighted the significance of Namirah Mosque in Arafat, where the Prophet delivered his sermon during the Farewell Pilgrimage

MAKKAH: In Makkah, the holiest city in Islam, spiritual significance extends far beyond the Grand Mosque. Scattered throughout the city are historic mosques that witnessed pivotal moments in Islamic history.

Yet, amid the dense crowds and the rapid pace of modern development, many pilgrims and Umrah performers remain unaware of these sacred sites, quietly tucked away within the city’s expanding urban landscape.

Fawaz Al-Dahas, professor of history at Umm Al-Qura University, said that Makkah is home to several mosques of profound historical and religious value, yet they remain largely overlooked, receiving neither the media attention nor the organized religious visits they merit.

Al-Dahas highlighted the significance of Namirah Mosque in Arafat, where the Prophet delivered his sermon during the Farewell Pilgrimage. He said that this mosque was not merely a physical structure, but a sacred site where the foundational principles of Islam were proclaimed. He also referenced the Bay’ah Mosque in Mina, which commemorates the pivotal moment when the Ansar pledged allegiance to the Prophet, paving the way for the Hijrah and the establishment of the Islamic state.

According to Al-Dahas, the importance of these mosques transcends their geographic locations, reflecting their profound political and religious significance in Islamic history.

Al-Dahas shed light on Al-Rayah Mosque: “Located in the Jarwal neighborhood, where the Prophet’s banner was raised on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, a powerful symbol of victory tempered by forgiveness.”

He also drew attention to Al-Hudaibiya Mosque, situated west of Makkah, where the historic Bay’at Al-Ridwan pledge took place, an event referenced in the Holy Qur’an. He said that while the mosque still stands on the original site of the Treaty of Hudaibiya, it remains largely unknown, with few visitors aware of its exact location.

Mohammed Al-Joud, a Hajj and Umrah specialist, said that these mosques were not merely historical structures, but vital educational landmarks that enrich a pilgrim’s understanding of the deeper spiritual dimensions of Hajj. He pointed to Al-Khayf Mosque in Mina, where the Prophet and prophets before him are believed to have prayed, as a powerful symbol of the continuity of prophethood: “Yet, many pilgrims remain unaware of its significance outside the Hajj season.”

Al-Joud also highlighted Al-Mashar Al-Haram Mosque in Muzdalifah, which is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, emphasizing that awareness of such sacred sites bridges the rituals of Hajj with their Qur’anic and historical roots, enhancing the spiritual journey.

Al-Joud also drew attention to Al-Kabsh Mosque in Mina, linked to the story of the sacrifice of Ismail. He explained that the mosque symbolizes the values of sacrifice and obedience, yet remains largely overlooked in media coverage and excluded from most pilgrimage programs. He described it as an essential part of a broader, interconnected network of sacred sites that trace the prophetic journey — from revelation to migration, and from peace to conquest.

Al-Dahas underscored the importance of launching awareness initiatives to shed light on these mosques and restore their rightful standing. He said that safeguarding Makkah’s Islamic heritage was not limited to preserving its prominent landmarks, but also required reviving these historically significant mosques, which once stood as pivotal markers along the journey of the prophetic message.

He said that reconnecting pilgrims with these sacred sites revived the educational and historical depth of Hajj, enriching the journey with a more profound, informed, and spiritually immersive experience.

 


Saudi leadership hails successful Hajj 2025 and praises efforts of all involved

Updated 11 June 2025
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Saudi leadership hails successful Hajj 2025 and praises efforts of all involved

  • The king and crown prince sent separate cables to Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef

RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the authorities involved in organizing the 2025 Hajj season, praising the efforts that contributed to its success, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In separate cables sent to Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, both leaders thanked the minister, regional governors, committee members, and all security, civil, and government personnel who took part in delivering a smooth and safe pilgrimage for nearly 1.7 million worshippers.

King Salman described the season as a success by the grace of God and the coordinated execution of comprehensive security, health, organizational, and service plans.

He highlighted the pilgrims’ ability to perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind, in a secure and spiritual atmosphere.

“We followed with pride the great efforts made by all sectors in serving the pilgrims of the house of Allah,” the King said. “We were pleased with the dedication and excellence shown by everyone in attaining the honor of serving the guests of the most Gracious.”

The king also thanked all those involved for their Eid Al-Adha greetings, prayed for the acceptance of the pilgrims’ Hajj, and asked God to grant continued success in serving Islam and Muslims.

Prince Mohammed echoed the sentiments, expressing thanks for the congratulations and for the collective commitment shown throughout the season.

He attributed the successful management of the Hajj to divine support, the leadership of King Salman, and the tireless work of all entities involved in executing the wide-ranging plans.

He also praised the careful monitoring by relevant authorities to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims.

“We pray to God to protect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to sustain the blessings of security on our homeland, and to accept the Hajj of all pilgrims,” the crown prince said.

The Hajj season this year saw 1,673,230 pilgrims perform their rites.


Saudi FM meets with Egyptian, Iranian counterparts to discuss Gaza crisis at Oslo Forum

Updated 11 June 2025
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Saudi FM meets with Egyptian, Iranian counterparts to discuss Gaza crisis at Oslo Forum

  • Meeting came as death toll from ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza reportedly climbed above 55,000

OSLO: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks on Wednesday with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, on the sidelines of the Oslo Forum 2025 in Norway.

The two ministers discussed Saudi-Egyptian relations as well as key regional developments, with a particular focus on the worsening situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The meeting came as the death toll from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war climbed above 55,000, according to figures released Wednesday by the Gaza Health Ministry.

The ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and fighters, said women and children accounted for more than half of the fatalities.

Prince Faisal and Abdelatty reviewed the efforts being made to de-escalate the crisis and support humanitarian relief.

The Kingdom’s Foreign Minister also met with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Oslo on Wednesday. 

The two officials reviewed relations between their countries and discussed regional and international developments.


Several arrests made in drug crackdown across Saudi Arabia

Border Guard patrols in the Al-Raboah sector of the Asir region arrested 14 Ethiopians for smuggling 260 kg of qat. (@BG994)
Updated 11 June 2025
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Several arrests made in drug crackdown across Saudi Arabia

  • Border Guard patrols in the Al-Raboah sector of the Asir region arrested 14 Ethiopians for smuggling 260 kg of qat
  • In a separate incident, four Ethiopians were arrested for smuggling 28 kg of qat in Al-Farsha governorate

RIYADH: Saudi authorities have made numerous drug-related arrests throughout the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Border Guard patrols in the Al-Raboah sector of the Asir region arrested 14 Ethiopians for smuggling 260 kg of qat. In a separate incident, four Ethiopians were arrested for smuggling 28 kg of qat in Al-Farsha governorate.

Security patrols in Asir also arrested a citizen with 11 kg of qat in the same governorate.

In the Al-Dayer sector of the Jazan region, authorities thwarted an attempt to smuggle 600 kg of qat. In another case, Border Guard patrols arrested an Ethiopian trying to smuggle 80 kg of qat.

The General Directorate of Mujahideen in Jazan arrested two citizens for selling hashish, while the General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested two Pakistanis and an Indonesian in Jeddah with 1.5 kg of methamphetamine, locally known as shabu.

A citizen was also arrested in the Baha region for selling amphetamine.

Preliminary legal procedures have been completed for all individuals, and the seized narcotics have been handed over to the authorities.

The Saudi government urges anyone with information about smuggling or customs offenses to call the confidential hotline 1910, the international number +966114208417, or email 1910@zatca.gov.sa.

All information is treated with strict confidentiality. Financial rewards are offered for valid information.