Saudi Arabia first in region to receive WHO verification for Type 2 emergency medical response    Haram Authority provides low-calorie meals to guests of God in Grand Mosque    33,000 Saudi-made luxury carpets adorn Grand Mosque    SP Jain Global ranked 23 in the world in QS Executive MBA Rankings 2025    US Envoy Witkoff: Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks to resume in Jeddah on Sunday    Israel launches fresh strikes on Gaza, vows to fight 'in full force'    Saudi Arabia announces school holiday in Jeddah, Makkah, and Taif for Formula 1    Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams finally return to Earth    Migrant carers from India's Kerala await justice in UK visa 'scams'    Harry's US visa records unsealed after drug claims    Saudi Arabia slams Israeli attempts to destabilize Syria through continuous attacks    Saudi Arabia surpasses self-sufficiency in figs    Istituto Marangoni to open Riyadh campus in August 2025    621 car maintenance businesses operate under franchise system in Saudi Arabia    Princess Reema bint Bandar greets Saudi Special Olympics team in Jeddah    AFC Champions League Elite Finals draw sets stage for Jeddah showdown    Cannes award-winning actress Dequenne dies at 43    Newcastle United ends 70-year wait for domestic glory with Carabao Cup triumph    Antenna: Saudi artist Ahmed Mater opens first solo exhibition in China    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    Man lives for 100 days with titanium heart in successful new trial    King Salman prays for peace and stability for Palestinians in Ramadan message King reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims    Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan 'out of danger' after attack at home in Mumbai    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Aramco women espouse virtues of driving
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 03 - 06 - 2009

Women drivers at the Saudi Aramco compound in the Eastern Province are estimated to number some 3,000, and residents say that around half of them are Saudis.
Company regulations, Saudi ladies told Al-Watan Arabic newspaper, have made permission for women to drive inside the enclosure a success as female employees and wives of Aramco workers transport themselves to work and their children to school in a safe environment. Driving instruction is provided for women wishing to learn to drive.
Saudi ladies living on the compound said that Aramco rules first allowed women to drive in its residential districts 30 years ago. “Women here are good drivers,” one Saudi woman told Al-Watan. “Saudi women here lead a social life similar to that of other Saudis, including attending Holy Quran memorization courses and social visits. The only difference is that you live your life without other people monitoring you.”
“The social life here requires women to learn how to drive as their husbands work long hours and also go on a lot of business trips and courses,” said Fatima Al-Bahri, who prefers not to leave the confines of the residential compound because of its social life and ease of movement.
In the morning the compound's streets throng with women driving their children to schools, kindergartens, and recreational centers. Others head for work, shopping malls or health centers, all without the need for a husband to excuse himself from work or other responsibilities.
For Aramco-employee wife Sheikha Al-Rumaihi, driving has been life-saving after she rushed her two-year-old child who suffered a fever-induced attack of convulsions to hospital. “How would a mother bear not being able to help her child in such a situation?” Sheikha asked. “Aramco's Saudi ladies depend on themselves for many things just like women all over the world,” Sheikha continued, “but they do it in abidance with the instructions of their religion and traditions.” “I drive with my veil on,” she added.
Suad Abdulhai is a female driving instructor at the compound. “The number of women seeking lessons has increased in recent times,” Suad said. “After recent discussions on the subject by the Shoura Council many Aramco-employee wives have been keen to show that the issue is not complicated and that it can succeed.”
Suad, who has given driving lessons to over 200 women, most of whom then obtained driving licenses from Bahrain, adds that numbers are increasing as many daughters of employees are now reaching the age when they are eligible to drive. “I have given lessons to 85 daughters of employees between the ages of 19 and 22,” she said. “Approval from a legal guardian is required for women seeking driving instruction,” Suad told Al-Watan. “Thirty percent of women driving on the compound don't have a license. Ninety percent of Saudi women drivers wear veils.” ­ SG __


Clic here to read the story from its source.