Clerics in Saudi Arabia apparently have not heard the news that Shaima Jastaniah was pardoned after driving illegally in the ultra-conservative Gulf kingdom last summer. According to reports coming from Saudi, the woman will still face a flogging sentence even though the world thought she had been pardoned in September. The news of her pardon, however, came via Twitter, when Princess Ameera al-Taweel, the wife of the wealthiest Arab Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, wrote, “Thank God, the lashing of Sheima is cancelled. Thanks to our beloved King. I'm sure all Saudi women will be so happy, I know I am.” Initial reports, including from The Atlantic's Nivien Saleh, the princess had spoken directly to the king over the matter of Jastaniah and the case should have been closed. But, in a country where women are forbidden from driving, and recent statements from clerics are calling for women to cover their “tempting eyes,” nothing seems secure. Part of the problem in this particular situation is that clerics possibly have not heard the news from the micro-blogging site. For now, it appears the flogging is back to happening, although women's rights activists are hopeful the situation will be rectified in the near future. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/JYLYH Tags: Driving, Flogging, twitter Section: Latest News, Saudi Arabia, Women
