Madani: nothing in Saudi law bans women from driving

The issue of the rights of the Saudi woman overwhelmed topics on the agenda of Jeddah economic forum, Saudi Arabia, with the Saudi minister of information Eyad Madani on Saturday refusing democracy in its western style, calling on the Saudi women to challenge in court being prevented the rights to drive a car.

He indicated that nothing in the Saudi legislation prevents woman from asking for a driving license, while the wife of the British prime minister Tony Blair; Sherry advised the Saudi women to be patient in order to win their rights.

The 7th session of Jeddah economic forum which concludes its work today is held under the slogan "for the sake of new prospects for economic growth" honoring individual identity and enhancing common values with the participation of 2700 business men and women and politicians from 28 countries.

Madani described Saudi Arabia as a "force of moderation in the region and in the world," noting that "the countries which are not originally western can not be westernized."

In an implicit reply to the urging made by the US President George W. Bush in his recent speech "the state of the Union" to Saudi Arabia to accelerate political reforms, Madani said "we do accept democracy," but he explained "it should not be far from our minds that democracy is a wider concept."

On the rights of women, Madani said "there is nothing in the Saudi legislation that bans Saudi women from asking for a driving license," adding that in case such a request is rejected, the woman can resort to the judiciary." He continued "this route can be only taken by persons who believe in this case." Looming that the women themselves have to move instead of waiting the for the government to act in this regard."