Saudi Arabia is the second largest country in the Arab world, and is the heartland of Islamic faith, as it is here you’ll find Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities of the religion. You will find millions of worshippers who come to the two holiest sites every year, though at different times, to be sure. However, you may not really know much about the economic powerhouse or military of the Middle East and Saudi Arabia specifically. Here are some facts you might not have known about the kingdom before that will shed light on the country that will help you understand it better.
Female Drivers
Saudi Arabia had a law that said women couldn’t drive. It was religious in nature, banning them from operating cars and getting driver’s licenses, making the country the only one in the world in 2018 to have such a law. However, the law got overturned in June 2018, which sparked hope for more women’s rights in the future.
There Is More
It’s shocking for many to learn that women couldn’t drive, but that was just one of many things they couldn’t do. For example, they must get permission from the male guardian before attending school or work and cannot travel or open a bank account by themselves.