June 17th?

No, never will not happen

I am in JUbail and didnt even hear about it, would have a problem as dont have a car and wouldnt do it anyway, what the hell is the point? They will just take your visas away and then no job.

Sorry, Bernex, here is the link.  There is also a FACEBOOK page called I WILL DRIVE STARTING JUNE 17.


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-1 … g-ban.html

rcknrobn6 wrote:

Will you ladies be taking part in June 17's "Women of Saudi just DRIVE" day?  What do you think will happen?

The only thing i see happening is people participating in such events, going back to their homes with a red exit stamp on their passports, that is if this event happens, which will not!

Really?  You think people will be deported?  What about the Saudi women?  They can't be deported.  That facebook page sure has a lot of supporters intending to go out that day.  This has to start somewhere!

With all the uprisings in the area, NOW would be a good time.

If its possible and does not go against Saudi Gov ..i would surely participate in it

When in Rome, do as the Romans do!

I don't think any sane Saudi lady would go against the tide in this particular time of turmoil, let alone expats!

amegy wrote:

When in Rome, do as the Romans do!

I don't think any sane Saudi lady would go against the tide in this particular time of turmoil, let alone expats!

agreed whole heartedly.

rcknrobn6 wrote:

Really?  You think people will be deported?  What about the Saudi women?  They can't be deported.  That facebook page sure has a lot of supporters intending to go out that day.  This has to start somewhere!

With all the uprisings in the area, NOW would be a good time.

i read sumwhere some saudi woman in jeddah was caught driving .. since she cudn't be deported.. she was handed down a travel ban

Well, amegy, it looks as if "the Romans" are going to be driving on June 17.  What say you?

rcknrobn6 wrote:

Well, amegy, it looks as if "the Romans" are going to be driving on June 17.  What say you?

before letting the women drive in saudi, they will have to allow the co-education, let women go out without abayas and let them enter the resturants/shops independently. I'm sure letting a woman drive in saudi is at the bottom of their things-to-be-allowed-in- KSA list. Not that I'm against it, but i really dont see that happening. Though it will be cool if they allow women to drive, not only for men but for shabab, u know what i mean

SEE, Arbab!!  YOU are the reason they are NOT letting women drive.  Ok, well not you, personally, but you know what I mean!  One of the arguments is that the women would be harassed and teased by male drivers, and, yes, SOME of them would be tempted.  UGHH!!!
But, I fail to see the correlation between women driving and co-ed, NO abayas, and MANY women enter shopping places alone.

And contrary to your opinion, women driving is a MAJOR issue here, not on the bottom-of-the-to-do list at all.[color=#D92566][/color]

rcknrobn6 wrote:

SEE, Arbab!!  YOU are the reason they are NOT letting women drive.  Ok, well not you, personally, but you know what I mean!  One of the arguments is that the women would be harassed and teased by male drivers, and, yes, SOME of them would be tempted.  UGHH!!!
But, I fail to see the correlation between women driving and co-ed, NO abayas, and MANY women enter shopping places alone.

And contrary to your opinion, women driving is a MAJOR issue here, not on the bottom-of-the-to-do list at all.[color=#D92566][/color]

Being woman i m totally agree with your approach towards women driving in Saudia

Well, thank you, nonz!

rcknrobn6 wrote:

Well, amegy, it looks as if "the Romans" are going to be driving on June 17.  What say you?

I say: Drive On! Just don't go "home" crying at the end of the day!   
Don't get me wrong, I wish for a law allowing women to drive there more than anything.  I just think expats shouldn't interfere!
There's an arabic proverb that translates to this: The people of Mecca best know their reefs!  I'm not being negative here, or claim to know much, but there are things in this society we cannot understand as expats and may never be able to relate to.  I don't assume you'd ever accept an Arab expat here in the US telling you: americans should legalize polygamy cause you know what we can have 4 wives back home!

Amegy, did you read the link?  This is being organized BY SAUDIS, not expats.  Polygamy is a religious issue.  Driving is a what? necessity? inconvenience/convenience(depending on how you look at it).  But, unfortunately, the powers that be here, are confusing the two!!  And, THAT is the tragedy.

I did read the article, and I just felt that it's safer that as an expat it's best not to take part in this since the consequences will be ugly!

Polygamy just came to mind as an example of an issue that's looked at differently in the two cultures.  What you're calling a tragedy though is a way of life, right?  It's not confusing the two, it's that one is instigated by the other.

rcknrobn6 wrote:

SEE, Arbab!!  YOU are the reason they are NOT letting women drive.  Ok, well not you, personally, but you know what I mean!  One of the arguments is that the women would be harassed and teased by male drivers, and, yes, SOME of them would be tempted.  UGHH!!!
But, I fail to see the correlation between women driving and co-ed, NO abayas, and MANY women enter shopping places alone.

And contrary to your opinion, women driving is a MAJOR issue here, not on the bottom-of-the-to-do list at all.[color=#D92566][/color]

As i said, i am not against women driving in saudi at all. I am a strong believer that this gender discrimination should end in saudi arabia. But those are wishful thoughts. As they say, if wishes were horses, beggers would ride.
The fact is, they wont let women drive. There is a big difference between "bottom-of-the-to-do list" and "bottom of their things-to-be-allowed-in-KSA list."
I'll speak no further on it, and will post again after 17th june. Nothing is going to happen, cos they wont allow. It is as simple as that. You can mark my words.

Arbab, consider them marked.

Amegy, the tragedy is that the people in power DO consider it UNislamic for women to drive, not that it has become an accepted way of life.

Guys.. regardless of the fact whether it is necessity, need or a luxury, we should realize and respect the local culture. This is not our debate whether women should drive in saudia or not. It is the local customs and traditions , and it is for them to decide how they want it transformed, if at all.

I wholeheartedly agree, kamiii.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Hi, All this women who are going to manifestate their rights on June 17th need world's support.Half of the nation want to change habits and traditon which keep women closed in their homes. 21 years ago 47 women did the same, they were terribly punished, do we want it happen again?

Arbab wrote:

rcknrobn6 wrote:

Well, amegy, it looks as if "the Romans" are going to be driving on June 17.  What say you?

before letting the women drive in saudi, they will have to allow the co-education, let women go out without abayas and let them enter the resturants/shops independently. I'm sure letting a woman drive in saudi is at the bottom of their things-to-be-allowed-in- KSA list. Not that I'm against it, but i really dont see that happening. Though it will be cool if they allow women to drive, not only for men but for shabab, u know what i mean

I am sorry, but the thinking has to change, my friend. You are hypnotized by the sand box. Take a break to visit our neighboring countries and see some women drive with abayas

kamiii wrote:

Guys.. regardless of the fact whether it is necessity, need or a luxury, we should realize and respect the local culture. This is not our debate whether women should drive in saudia or not. It is the local customs and traditions , and it is for them to decide how they want it transformed, if at all.

There is no justification for this part of the culture. It's against humanity, against Islam and against the female sex. Its the worst form of oppressing the woman in the 21st century. Period.

nonz wrote:

If its possible and does not go against Saudi Gov ..i would surely participate in it

hahahahahahahahaha What A Joke!

the_blade wrote:

Arbab wrote:

rcknrobn6 wrote:

Well, amegy, it looks as if "the Romans" are going to be driving on June 17.  What say you?

before letting the women drive in saudi, they will have to allow the co-education, let women go out without abayas and let them enter the resturants/shops independently. I'm sure letting a woman drive in saudi is at the bottom of their things-to-be-allowed-in- KSA list. Not that I'm against it, but i really dont see that happening. Though it will be cool if they allow women to drive, not only for men but for shabab, u know what i mean

I am sorry, but the thinking has to change, my friend. You are hypnotized by the sand box. Take a break to visit our neighboring countries and see some women drive with abayas

Thats a lot of wishful thinking mate. Trying convincing the saudi officials, or the least what you can do is to participate in 17th june event. Their answer has always been.... if you like the neighboring countries, GO THERE! of if you dont like it here, GO HOME!

You are living in saudi, go outside riyadh in remote areas like Al-Qassim, Al-Ras etc and check that even today, women there are punished if they dont cover even their hands, they are not allowed to leave the home alone. And you think they will allow women to drive? dream on!

Its not that i support this, I have always opposed it. I want this gender discrimination to end more then anyone. Even my wife wont live in saudi permanently cos she cant drive. But that doesnt means i should deny the fact that what we wish is going to happen.

Peace.

Just an update.
The founder of so called 17th june event, got arrested. More info on..

http://www.facebook.com/pages/We-are-su … 8737035282

Yes, Arbab, I saw that on the news yesterday.  She couldn't wait till the 17th?  Maybe just some publicity?  Gotta start somewhere! 
How did I know SOMEBODY was going to post that?

rcknrobn6 wrote:

Yes, Arbab, I saw that on the news yesterday.  She couldn't wait till the 17th?  Maybe just some publicity?  Gotta start somewhere! 
How did I know SOMEBODY was going to post that?

rcknrobn6 .. I had a detailed debate with my wify on this subject and now I'm a big supporter for this event I might show up on 17th and cheer for all the ladies driving

I think she was released after only a few hours.

Welcome to the "other side!" 
I fail to see why the Saudis(some) can't see (trust!) the convenience of having their women drive.  There woud be no more waiting for "exhausted" hubz to get home to take you to the furniture store, supermarket or some other "promised" destination, only to be put off till later.  No more waiting for someone to drop the kids off at a play date AND picking them up on time.  What I miss the most, is taking my kids to school in the mornings!  Those were special times and even THEY miss that.
Can you believe I had an appointment at the school, and, while I was in the vicinity, I couldn't even pinpoint the school and MISSED the dang appointment?!!!!  (Not.  Cool.  Mom.)

Well, this is not going to get solved here, but, YES, support is needed wherever the women - and, some men - can get it.

slyshooter wrote:

I think she was released after only a few hours.

and got arrested again, she got arrested twice. Ofcoruse realeased , but I wonder about what were the terms of her release.

rcknrobn6 wrote:

I fail to see why the Saudis(some) can't see (trust!) the convenience of having their women drive.

its not about trust or convenience. society is just not ready yet thats all..

Arbab wrote:

slyshooter wrote:

I think she was released after only a few hours.

and got arrested again, she got arrested twice. Ofcoruse realeased , but I wonder about what were the terms of her release.

terms were, she was forced to sign a paper stating she wont drive again or will face dire consequences

As of 2 hours ago, she was still in jail.

UPDATE ON MANAL:

http://saudiwoman.wordpress.com/2011/05 … f/#respond

it won't happen ........ *sigh*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akQ4ftcvO3M

Atleast 45 women drove around the cities of KSA this friday. And Alas ! Only one of them was detained by the police and was later released without facing any legal charges. Should we call it a successful demonstration ?