Saudi Arabia is not ready to allow women to drive - Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman

Saudi Arabia isn't ready to lift the ban on women driving, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman said, adding that it's not just a matter of ending strictures imposed by the kingdom's austere form of Islam. Allowing women to drive is not a religious issue as much as it is an issue that relates to the community itself that either accepts it or refuses it, said the 30-year-old son of King Salman.

"The community is not convinced about women driving" and sees negative consequences if it's allowed, the prince said on Monday after outlining a plan to reduce the kingdom's reliance on oil.

The prince had signalled his support for more freedom for women during an interview this month, saying "we believe women have rights in Islam that they've yet to obtain."

But when a reporter asked him about the driving ban on Monday, he said reform couldn't be rushed. Changes could happen in the future and we always hope they will be positive changes," he said.

Source: Gulf News