Driving ban violation: King revokes woman’s lashing sentence

JEDDAH: Saudi King Abdullah has revoked a sentence of 10 lashes imposed on a woman for breaking the ban on women driving in the kingdom, a Saudi princess said Wednesday on her Twitter account. “Thank God, the lashing of Sheima is cancelled. Thanks to our beloved King. I’m sure all Saudi women will be so happy, I know I am,” said Princess Amira al-Taweel, wife of billionaire Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. “In tough times we stand together; in good times we celebrate together,” the princess said. “I’m proud to be Saudi. To all Active Saudi women thank u for ur efforts.” Sheima Jastaniah was sentenced on Monday by a court in Jeddah, where she was caught driving in July, a rights activist said. “We were shocked yesterday (Monday) that she was sentenced to 10 lashes,” the activist said, adding Jastaniah would appeal the verdict.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th,  2011.