Dubai: The official centre for issuing fatwas and endowments in the UAE has issued a new ruling saying it is permissible for a woman to travel by taxi or in a chauffeur-driven car alone, to work for example.
The General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments says it is not ‘haram’ as long as the car is moving on the road, reported Arabic daily Al Khaleej.
The new advisory is based on assumption that roads are full of people and therefore the woman in such places is safe and secure even without the presence of a ‘mahram’ (blood relative, such as son, brother or father).
The advisory recommended that the woman should sit in the back seat of the car and abide by Sharia law governing dress and speech. It further said that it is best for a woman to travel with a ‘mahram’ or with another woman accompanying her.