I wasn't aware that women weren't allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20041124/od_nm/odd_saudi_pilot_dc_1
Banned from Driving, Saudi Woman Takes to the Sky
Wed Nov 24, 8:55 AM ET Oddly Enough - Reuters
RIYADH (Reuters) - A Saudi woman is set to challenge religious conservatives by becoming the first female pilot in a country where women are not even allowed to drive.
Hanadi Hindi, who trained for a pilot's license in neighboring Jordan, has signed a contract with billionaire prince Alwaleed bin Talal's private airline, the prince said.
"Recruiting Captain Hindi as a pilot ... is a major step in the employment of women and in their more active participation in Saudi society," Prince Alwaleed said in a statement.
Hindi is due to start work by the middle of next year, after completing her training, in a move which directly challenges Saudi Arabia's ultra-conservative religious authorities.
Women in Saudi Arabia are prohibited from driving, mixing with men and traveling inside or outside the country without a male escort. They are obliged to cover from head to toe in an abaya, a concealing black cloak.
They must have a very low accident rate.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20041124/od_nm/odd_saudi_pilot_dc_1
Banned from Driving, Saudi Woman Takes to the Sky
Wed Nov 24, 8:55 AM ET Oddly Enough - Reuters
RIYADH (Reuters) - A Saudi woman is set to challenge religious conservatives by becoming the first female pilot in a country where women are not even allowed to drive.
Hanadi Hindi, who trained for a pilot's license in neighboring Jordan, has signed a contract with billionaire prince Alwaleed bin Talal's private airline, the prince said.
"Recruiting Captain Hindi as a pilot ... is a major step in the employment of women and in their more active participation in Saudi society," Prince Alwaleed said in a statement.
Hindi is due to start work by the middle of next year, after completing her training, in a move which directly challenges Saudi Arabia's ultra-conservative religious authorities.
Women in Saudi Arabia are prohibited from driving, mixing with men and traveling inside or outside the country without a male escort. They are obliged to cover from head to toe in an abaya, a concealing black cloak.
They must have a very low accident rate.
