Saudi morality police statement reignites debate on female driving ban

Saudi Arabia's ban on women drivers was challenged on Thursday by comments from the Kingdom's morality police chief, who said the ban was not backed by Islamic law. In his statement to Reuters, Sheikh Abdulatif Al al-Sheikh also said he didn't have the power to change the current policy, which has seen many women arrested and jailed for getting behind the wheel.

The news went viral among Saudi netizens who used the hashtag  #قيادة_26اكتوبر, or "October 26 driving," to encourage a national campaign for women drivers next month.