Women should be allowed to drive in the Kingdom, says Saudi Prince

Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal issued a public call for women to be allowed to drive in the conservative kingdom, tweeting in Arabic and English: “Stop the debate: Time for women to drive.”

A Saudi prince has issued a public call for women to be allowed to drive in the conservative kingdom.

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal attends a ceremony in Riyadh. (Reuters File Photo)

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal made the call on Twitter, tweeting in Arabic and English: “Stop the debate: Time for women to drive.” His tweet late Tuesday included links to an opinion article arguing for the change that cited economic, social and religious considerations.

Alwaleed does not hold a formal position in the Saudi government. The billionaire leads the Riyadh-based investment firm Kingdom Holding Company, which holds stakes in several Western companies, including Twitter.

Saudi Arabia follows an ultra-conservative interpretation of Islam. It is the only country in the world that does not allow women to drive, and women’s rights activists have been detained for defying the ban.