The question of women driving

Should women be allowed to drive cars or not? This is not the question. Should we raise this question in the first place? The success of any social or political or economic system depends on its ability to meet the requirements of the society and its individuals. This demands a high degree of transparency and freedom of expression as well as looking at the issue to protect public interests.

The discussions on the issue have taken a lot of our time and energy. Some look at the issue as a mere organizational matter that demands just changing the traffic law and taking steps to protect women drivers while others further complicate the issue through their unrealistic arguments.

Opponents believe women driving would spread immorality in the society while supporters say it would protect women’s rights and liberate them. We are now in between two extremes, making it difficult to reach a consensus. Most people who allow their women to travel in cars driven by foreign drivers oppose the idea of women driving thinking it would lead to harassment of women.

But harassment can occur anywhere at any time in the absence of a secure atmosphere. The supporters, on the other hand, will not stop at women driving but want to liberate them from all social and religious values considering those values as personal choices. This has made women driving a hot issue.

What we need now is to discuss aspects of the subject openly in the Shoura Council being the apex, official consultative body in the country that represents all people in order to adopt a decisive decision on the issue. If the Shoura is unable to do that, which will be surprising for me, the matter should be discussed in one of the national dialogue forums. There is a real problem in our handling of contemporary issues. Rejection of reality does not mean it would not have any impact. We have to understand that change is part and parcel of our life, even if we refuse to accept this factor. We have to be prepared to control it. If we take a negative approach, it would have a harmful impact. So, we have to discuss the issue objectively, keeping our vested interests away. If we were ready to do so then women driving would not be a problem. But are we ready to approach issue realistically without any bias.

—By Dr. Adnan bin Abdullah Al-Shiha, Al-Eqtisadia

Changing perceptions

During the massive Jeddah floods in November 2009, 15-year-old Malak Al-Motairy jumped into the driving seat to save her family from drowning. People have forgotten that incident, thinking such catastrophes would not happen again in our country. Reports of women driving appear in the press now and then and all those women have been punished by the law.

I don’t want to say that several fatal accidents have occurred in different parts of the country as a result of preventing women from driving. Because the issue is beyond that and it must be tackled by adopting clear-cut decisions ensuring the rights of women and saving them from being exploited by public and private transport companies.

The pressure on Saudi women, who are partners of their men in decision-making and achievements, has prompted them to resist the existing law, as they believe in their capacity and their constructive role in the society. All members of society should be given their natural rights without any partiality in order to enable men and women to work together for the country’s progress.

Woman driving is not a new issue but no decision has been taken on it. We have to close this issue by taking a final decision in order for women to play an important role in the country’s development.

— By Raja Albouali, Al-Sharq

Depleting oil revenue

Thinking about future is essential for planning. Saudi Arabia depends heavily on oil prices for its development projects. What we’ll do after the depletion of oil resources or its prices fall further due to the discovery of new energy sources.

We have to develop our human resources through education. At the same time, I am afraid of those who give false hopes like manufacturing Ghazal cars in the Kingdom. A few days ago we read a report about Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah celebrating its 100th invention. A few days later, we found its campus inundated with rainwater because its students and professors failed to develop an effective rainwater drainage system for the university.

My only hope is the scholarship students returning to the Kingdom after completing their higher studies abroad to accelerate the country’s progress. I would like to know what the Planning Ministry has in stock to drive the country’s future growth in the event of oil depletion.

—By Bassam Fetaini, Al-Watan

Yemen in Tehran’s grip

The return of the Iranian ambassador to Sanaa after a year of absence does not augur well as it could bring new problems to the country. Iran has been exerting its influence in Yemen through its military might and financial incentives.

Tehran has been present in all negotiations and arrangements that have been held to protect Yemen’s interests. It is not considered as a foreign force that tampers with the country’s security. The recent explosion that hit the residence of the Iranian ambassador in Sanaa is likely to speed up joint security arrangements by Washington and Tehran to fight Al-Qaeda in Yemen. Washington has showed its ability to create chaos in the region and Tehran has the power to utilize this chaos to achieve its vested interests.

—By Dr. Mutlaq bin Saud Al-Motairy, Al-Riyadh

Retirement age

There is a proposal to retire university professors at 55 or 60 in order to give room for hundreds of graduates from King Abdullah Foreign Scholarship Program who have obtained degrees from abroad.

This proposal deserves debate. Before that I would like to ask whether we have enough teachers and professors in our universities meeting international standards. In my opinion, there is a shortage of teachers.

There are two strong opinions; one says university professors should retire at the legal age and stop their academic life while the other group stresses that they should continue academic life until death.

In his book “Leaving on Top: Graceful Exit for Leaders” David Heenan speaks about the important role of retired professors in organizing workshops, phased retirement program, the importance of upholding the honor of professors and the need to make use of the retirees’ expertise for the university’s future development. He also emphasized the need to provide housing to such professors within the campus to help them engage in various educational and cultural activities to make them feel at home and not abandoned.

— By Talal Abdullah Almaliki, Al-Madinah

Wasta and corruption

Saudi Arabia has been placed 55th in the corruption perceptions index published by the Transparency International. This is not acceptable for a country that follows Islamic values in all its affairs. The report indicates that the Kingdom got poor rating in the index because of increasing corruption cases in the country and not imposing punishment on officials caught for accepting bribes.

Compared to last year, Saudi Arabia has won eight additional points. This clearly indicates that the government by setting up the Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha) is making progress to contain corruption.

— By Mohammed Al-Aufi, Makkah Newspaper