Certain social and economic circumstances in some remote areas have forced women to drive cars ignoring the ban on such driving. Carrying out life's necessary chores using a car is a normal practice in many villages in Empty Quarter. Women drive pick-up trucks to carry fodder and goods; some women even have been driving seen water tank trucks, Al-Madina reported on Friday. It is not surprising to find a woman driving a car with her firearm next to her to tackle any emergency situation. Muhammad Omar, one of the natives of the region said. Women driving in the Empty Quarter is not frowned upon, Muhammad Omar, a resident here said. “It helps in finishing daily chores due to the absence of the family head or his disability,” he said. In addition, it is easy to drive in open areas and deserts away from the crowding roads in the cities. Women feel safer in the desert. Fehaid Ahmed said women driving in the desert areas is not a social taboo. He said officials have clarified several times that allowing women to drive cars depends upon the society itself. “It is the society that decides,” he said. “In these remote areas the society has allowed women to drive to take care of their interests and those of their families especially when we know that she can safeguard herself under the Shariah rules. She does not drive into the cities or populated villages,” he said. __
