Imprisoning Manal Al-Sharif
This is Manal Al-Sharif.
She is a female activist who has challenged the sociopolitical restrictions barring women from driving cars. She started a Facebook group calling for women to drive on June 17.
She recently drove around the street of AlKhobar (Eastern Province) and uploaded a video of her 'stunt' on YouTube.
Needless to say, she got arrested. The charge? Driving without a license.
Read: Is there hope for Saudi Arabia? [Saudi Jeans]
Now, local newspapers are now reporting that her detention has been extended 10 more days effective yesterday. Dr. Ghazi Al-Shammari, the head of the family solidarity committee in the region, visited her at the detention facility. He said that she has confessed to having been 'deceived' and that she 'regrets' what had happened; that she was quite reckless in what she did. He also quoted her as saying that all other women should listen to and obey the orders of the government and the clergy since these women do not know any better.
Quite the classic response, I might say. It is very likely the result of social pressure by family and peers, and religious pressure by you-know-who.
Sadist Al-Shammari went on saying that he was happy to see her detained. He also announced his wishes for her to be sentenced to lashes so that her case becomes an example for others.
Another crack in the porcelain.
She is a female activist who has challenged the sociopolitical restrictions barring women from driving cars. She started a Facebook group calling for women to drive on June 17.
She recently drove around the street of AlKhobar (Eastern Province) and uploaded a video of her 'stunt' on YouTube.
Click to viewNeedless to say, she got arrested. The charge? Driving without a license.
Read: Is there hope for Saudi Arabia? [Saudi Jeans]
Now, local newspapers are now reporting that her detention has been extended 10 more days effective yesterday. Dr. Ghazi Al-Shammari, the head of the family solidarity committee in the region, visited her at the detention facility. He said that she has confessed to having been 'deceived' and that she 'regrets' what had happened; that she was quite reckless in what she did. He also quoted her as saying that all other women should listen to and obey the orders of the government and the clergy since these women do not know any better.
Quite the classic response, I might say. It is very likely the result of social pressure by family and peers, and religious pressure by you-know-who.
Sadist Al-Shammari went on saying that he was happy to see her detained. He also announced his wishes for her to be sentenced to lashes so that her case becomes an example for others.
Another crack in the porcelain.