The conference on the subject of 'women in society' was notable for its lack of women

 

Saudi Arabian Women's Conference... With Not A Female In Sight

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/28/saudi-arabian-womens-conference-picture_n_3515062.html

An image of a conference in Saudi Arabia on the topic of “women in society” – with not a single female present - has gone viral.

The picture features row upon row of men in traditional headscarves and white thobes. A single Westerner in a flannel shirt is the only person breaking up an otherwise uniform sea of what appear to be Arab men.

We traced the picture back to Beladalorb.com, which says it was published in Saudi newspaper Okaz last year.

The conference was reportedly held at the University of Qassim and was apparently attended by representatives of 15 countries.

Much is being made of absurdity and hypocrisy of the image, but when you consider Saudi Arabia is a country where women are not permitted to drive, it seems less so.

Religious police in the Gulf Kingdom which is governed by Sharia Law only recently lifted a ban on females riding motorbikes and bicycles – as long as they wear the full-length veil and are accompanied by a male relative.

 Women in Saudi Arabia will reportedly be allowed to ride bicycles and motorbikes in restricted areas - as long as they wear a full-length veil and are accompanied by a male relative

Saudi Arabian Religious Police 'Lift Bicycle Ban For Women' – As Long As They Wear A Veil & Are With A Male Relative

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/04/02/saudi-arabian-religious-police-lift-bicycle-ban-women-veil-male-relative_n_2999576.html

 

 Saudi Arabian women will now be permitted to ride motorbikes and bicycles in restricted areas – as long as they wear the full-length veil and are accompanied by a male relative.

The country’s al-Yawm daily newspaper cites an unnamed official from the religious police as confirming the edict.

Al Jazeera points out women, who are not permitted to drive in Saudi Arabia, will still be banned from riding the vehicles in public places.

 The Gulf kingdom follows an ultra conservative interpretation of Islam where it is illegal for Saudi women to travel abroad without male accompaniment and can only do so if their guardian agrees by signing a document know as the 'yellow sheet' at an airport or border crossing.

In November 2012 it emerged women were being electronically monitored with authorities using SMS to track them and inform their husbands of their whereabouts.

Al Arabiya reported that the surveillance was triggered by the escape of a Saudi woman to Sweden earlier in 2012. She was believed to have converted to Christianity although she later denied this and insisted she wanted to return to Saudi Arabia.

She was helped to leave the country by a Saudi colleague and a Lebanese man who has reportedly since been imprisoned.

The kingdom is governed by strict Sharia law and it was only in 2011 that women were given the right to vote and run for office in municipal elections in 2015.

In January an Indonesian city which follows Sharia Law announced plans to ban women from straddling motorbikes.

Suaidi Yahya, mayor of Lhokseumawa said the sight of women straddling bike seats was “improper” and violated Islamic values.

Muslim activist Ulil Abshar Adballa criticised the move, tweeting "How to ride a motorbike is not regulated in Sharia law. There is no mention of it in the Koran or Hadiths."