Monday, March 26, 2007

Al Qaeda: The Epitomy of Male Chauvenist Pigs?

Leave it to Al Qaeda in Iraq. They have issued the following rules governing women drivers in Iraq: "The driver will not be younger than 30 years of age.

"[She may drive only] with the consent of her guardian.

"She must have a license from the Women's Driving Education Center.

"She must dress modestly, without [jewelry or makeup].

"She may drive only in the city… not in the suburbs or in rural areas.

"Women may drive only Saturday to Wednesday, 7 AM-8 PM, and Thursday and Friday, 12 PM-8 PM.

"The driver must carry a [mobile] phone in case of emergency.

"In case of problems or a malfunction in the vehicle, she must call the Women's Traffic Center.

"Upon receiving her license, [the driver will] pay a predetermined sum… [entitling her] to auto repair [services]…

"A Women's Traffic Department will be established…

"There will be Women's Traffic Centers in various parts of the city, supervised by senior clerics…

"A [woman's] driver's license is subject to annual renewal…

"[If a woman commits a traffic violation], the representative of the [general] Traffic [department] will contact the Women's Traffic [Department, whose employees will be the only ones authorized] to write her a ticket or to communicate with her at all.

"Anyone violating these rules will be punished, without exception, since any violation offends the [women's] honor and jeopardizes state security.

"Penalties:

"Anyone talking to a woman driver will be sentenced to no less than one month in prison and will be fined; anyone found guilty of pestering, teasing, or pursuing a woman driver will be sentenced to no less than eight months in prison and will be fined…

"If a woman driver is found guilty of immoral or illegal conduct, she will incur the following penalties: on the first offense, her license will be revoked for no less than six months; she will be fined 500-1,000 riyals; she will submit a guarantee to the Women's Traffic [Department] promising never to repeat the offense, and her guardian will receive official notification of the offense."

Thanks to MEMRI

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