Celebration, conspiracies and anger: Reactions to Saudi women driving

Despite authorities threatening those who mock the royal decree, Twitter users in and around the kingdom were triggered by last night's historic news.
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The New Arab Staff

The New Arab

27 Sep, 2017
Saudi Arabia was the only nation to ban women from driving [AFP]
Until now, Saudi Arabia was the only nation on Earth which prohibited women from getting behind the wheel.

But women in the conservative kingdom woke up to unprecedented news on Wednesday, after a royal decree finally announced a histroic decision allowing women to drive.

Headlines were slammed across television screens and analysts began chattering away.

But despite authorities threatening those who mock the royal decree with a hefty fine and time in prison, Twitter users in and around the kingdom were triggered by last night's news.

Here are just some of a variety of hilarious, angry and weird reactions found on Twitter:

1. The Celebrations




Translation: "To all those who told me I would never drive, let me hear your screams"

2. The jokes 

Translation: "Hello dad, I'm at the mall.. make a U-turn"

Translation: "The girls of Taif, soon"

Translation: "When men heard women will be driving" 

Translation: "Noooo, the traffic is already crazy"

Translation: "A week of shock"


Translation: "Where's our house?"

3. The pessimists 


Translation: "Today women driving, tomorrow alcohol and nightclubs"


Translation: "Suddenly women driving serves a great legitimate purpose that we were never told about"


Translation: "It is upsetting to see such a decree"


Translation: "That's it, we now share everything - only football matches left"


Translation: "I swear to God, such upsetting news. I wish this day never came"

4. The conspiracy theorists 


Translation: "First it was prohibited according to Islamic law and now it is legal according to Islamic law. In any case, a good decision."
 

Translation: “A Masonic scheme. Prevent people from their rights and freedom and suppress them in the name of religion for decades, and when they are alienated from their religion, enjoy the disintegration.”




And finally, a gentle warning - This may be a good time to warn the kingdom's party poopers: 


Translation: "Punishment for mocking royal decrees. Jail term for no longer than five years or a 3 million [Saudi] riyal fine." 


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