No Woman, No Drive video mocking Saudi ban on women drivers goes viral

Thu Oct 31, 2013 17:31:50

A music video criticizing Saudi Arabia's ban on women drivers has gone viral - with nearly eight million views in less than a week.

No Woman, No Drive, set to the tune of Bob Marley's No Woman, No Cry, was filmed by Saudi comedians and activists.

They sing lyrics such as: "In this bright future you can't forget your past, so put your car keys away."

Hisham Fageeh, an Arab-American comedian living in Saudi Arabia, introduces the video and sings in the film.

In an apparent dig at the country's authorities, he sings a capella - using whistling, finger clicks and beard scratches to make music - as musical instruments are frowned upon by some conservatives.

He also mocks recent comments from a Saudi cleric who claimed driving could damage a woman's ovaries and her chances of having children.

The lyrics say: "I remember when you used to sit in the family car but back seat, ova-ovaries all safe and well so you can make lots and lots of babies."

Currently, Saudi women cannot receive driving licenses, although the law does not explicitly say they cannot drive.

The song was released on the same day that women in the country got behind the wheel in protest at the ban.

Campaigners had hoped it would be the biggest day of action so far, but threats of arrest and legal action stopped many from participating.

BA/BA

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