"It also demonstrates that now Saudi leaders are forging ahead to realize true moderation in their country by granting rights to women".Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Agus Maftuh Abegebriel is optimistic of Indonesia being a key partner in campaigning for moderate Islam being promoted by the Saudi government.
According to a statement from Ambassador Abegebriel received by Antara here on Monday, one obvious change in Saudi is that its women are now allowed to drive cars on the streets under permission, effective since midnight of June 24, 2018.
One of the wealthiest men in Saudi Arabia -- Prince Waleed bin Talal -- who owns shares in the Citibank network, the Four Seasons Hotel, Disneyland Paris, Hewlett-Packard, and e-bay, celebrated this new change by recording his daughter, Reem Waleed, who for the first time, rode a car from Waleed`s office, the Kingdom Tower to his home in Riyadh.
In the video that became viral on social media, Prince Talal checked on the princess` driving license and the time to ensure that it was already one minute past midnight.
Prince Talal, who had met Indonesian President Joko Widodo in May 2016 at the Bogor Palace, West Java, was keen to demonstrate and ensure compliance with the rules.
Ambassador Abegebriel explained that the video also showed three of Talal`s grandchildren sitting on the rear passenger seat.
In the video, Prince Talal lauded King Salman bin Abdul Aziz for implementing the decree due to which the women in Saudi Arabia can now drive their own cars.
Prince Waleed also praised Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman for granting freedom to the citizens of Saudi Arabia, including its women.
The richest man in Saudi Arabia, with assets valued at US$18.7 billion, confirmed that the Saudis have now undergone major changes in the 21st century.
According to Ambassador Abegebriel, on June 24, 2018, at midnight, Saudi women were seen honking as a sign of the start of a new era in the country.
"We promise to bring Saudi back to true Islam, a moderate Islam, and open to all world religions and civilizations," Prince Mohammad bin Salman stated on October 25, 2017, at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh.
"In the rest of our time, we will not tolerate the movement of radicalism and intolerance. We will destroy the extremist movement now and soon," he emphasized.
Ambassador Abegebriel remarked that the granting of freedom to women to drive cars in Saudi Arabia has proven the crown prince`s statement.
"It also demonstrates that now Saudi leaders are forging ahead to realize true moderation in their country by granting rights to women," he noted.
Ambassador Abegebriel`s optimism that Indonesia would become a key partner in the process of civilization change in Saudi Arabia, was strengthened by an agreement signed between the two countries in the form of a memorandum of understanding to eradicate terrorism, intolerance, and extremism.
Reporter: Libertina W. Ambari
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
