Abdul Aziz Al Shaikh

ROYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz Al Shaikh has reiterated his opposition to allowing women to drive.

The Mufti who has regularly held out against the lifting of the ban said driving would leave women vulnerable to a number of grave problems.

“Driving cars could mean the opening of floodgates that would not be controllable,” he said.

“It is our duty and responsibility not to open them because women would then be exposed to serious dangers, especially from those with terrible intentions. Allowing them to drive could also mean women could leave their houses alone and go to places without the knowledge of their families, and this could of course imply several evils,” he said during a talk show on a private television station.

Al Shaikh said that Muslims must always think about protecting fellow Muslims from evil and from falling into depravity.

“Religion has closed the doors that take to evils and problems, and we must think in that direction. We should ensure that women do not travel without a mahrim [a male custodian] or sit without a mahrim. They must wear the veil and be encouraged to cover up,” he added.

Saudi Arabia, a close ally of the United States, is the only country that outlaws driving for women.

Last year, women’s rights campaigner Loujain al-Hathloul received a 10-week jail sentence after she defied the ban, driving from the United Arab Emirates to the Saudi border in protest.