Saudi scholars back women drivers

Jeddah: A number of Saudi religious scholars say the issue of women driving cars is a social, not a religious one.

Shaikh Abdul Mohsen Al Obaikan, a member of the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars, told the Arab News newspaper, "In principle women driving is permitted in Islam."

Obaikan, citing a fatwa by the former Grand Mufti Shaikh Abdulaziz Bin-Baz, said women should be allowed to drive in rural areas.

Another scholar, Shaikh Mehsin Al Awaji, said driving is part of a "package" so Saudi Arabia would need more women working as police officers and mechanics.

The Saudi Interior Ministry said no law actually bars women from driving. But women have occasionally been arrested after they were found behind the wheel.