Saudi Arabia cleric says ban on women drivers guards against evil

The grand mufti of Saudi Arabia justified a ban on women drivers saying it  “protects society from evil.” In a speech, the kingdom’s most senior cleric Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh, dismissed the issue of giving women the right to drive. He said, “It’s not one of society’s major concerns.” His comments came as activists said they had been assured by Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef that the controversial ban is being reassessed. “We expect a royal decree that gives us this right,” advocates said. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are barred from driving, drawing condemnation from the international community. At least 16 women were stopped by police during a driving protest day last month, and were fined along with their male guardians. Saudi women are also forced to cover themselves from head to toe and need permission from a male guardian to travel, work and marry.

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