Opinion

Heroes in rejection and acceptance

June 26, 2018
Heroes in rejection and acceptance

Saeed Al-Suraihi



Okaz newspaper

WE cannot but wonder at the sudden change of heart. Some scholars took the floor and wrote in the newspapers against women driving. They even issued fatwas (religious edicts) proclaiming woman driving as totally haraam.

They are now competing to say that women driving is not only permissible under Islam but are exaggerating to make it not only allowed but almost an Islamic duty.

Those who objected to woman driving and stood a solid obstacle against her empowerment have changed their attitudes and are now calling for empowering women in all walks of life.

Those of us who do not know the history of these preachers might come to believe that they had always been supporting women and calling for their rights.

However, history will not forget what these scholars have been saying. All their fatwas, writings and sermons are carefully preserved. They stand witness against themselves.

The scholars who became heroes in their solid stance against women driving and empowerment have now become heroes in defending the women's rights; not only on the driving issue but to holding leading positions in the government and the private sector.

These scholars are adamant on becoming heroes in all situations. They were champions in their rejection of women's rights and are now heroes in defending these rights which they strongly opposed.

Had it not been for the royal decree allowing women to drive from June 24, these scholars would have continued their rejection of women driving and empowerment. We would have still be hearing their warnings against the perils of allowing women to drive. One of them claimed that a woman died while behind the wheel. He said the paramedics and the traffic police were unable to free her hands from the wheel so they buried them together!!!

They were telling funny stories that might have happened if women were allowed to drive. Now they are saying that women driving is a must.


June 26, 2018
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