A Saudi Arabian princess behind the wheel of a car on a magazine cover is a huge deal. Here's why.
The June Vogue Arabia cover — featuring Her Royal Highness Princess Hayfa Bint Abdullah Al Saud poised to drive a red convertible — might not cause a commotion in the West. But in Saudi Arabia, where women have long been banned from driving a car, the cover is monumental. That ban lifts on June 24, though, and this latest issue is here to celebrate.
A post shared by Vogue Arabia (@voguearabia) on May 30, 2018 at 12:00am PDT
The princess was photographed in an elegant flowing white ensemble and matching headscarf as she posed in the driver’s seat of the vintage red 1980s Mercedes-Benz 450SL. And she has got a hand on the steering wheel, making a clear statement that she is ready to help drive her country forward.
A post shared by Vogue Arabia (@voguearabia) on May 30, 2018 at 6:13am PDT
The decision to allow Saudi Arabia’s 16 million women to drive comes as part of a series of dramatic changes pushed for by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the king’s 32-year-old son, who has fought for for major changes pertaining to women’s rights — from allowing women to serve in the military to the country’s criminalization of sexual harassment.
The latest issue of Vogue Arabia is a nod to the “trailblazing women of Saudi Arabia.” In her interview with the magazine, Princess Hayfa opens up about being an artist, a mother of three, and a witness to her country’s changes.
“There are some conservatives who fear change. For many, it is all they have known. Personally, I support these changes with great enthusiasm,” she says. “It is easy to comment on other people’s societies and think that your own society is superior, but the Western world must remember that each country is specific and unique. We have strengths and weaknesses but, invariably, it’s our culture, and it’s better to try to understand it than to judge it.”
On social media, the cover is getting praised for its forward-moving image.
This June cover is everything, well done @VogueArabia pic.twitter.com/NGU9rGjdHi
— ????? (@Atefeh3692) May 30, 2018
So pleased to see that @VogueArabia after over a year on the market is finally taking the world to see the beauty of Arab world through fashion and strong and powerful Arab women. Looking forward to see more issues like that.https://t.co/fpoGLkQ3s1
— Helena ?????? (@Helenaoun) May 30, 2018
But not everyone feels the same way, with some even calling it “insensitive.”
Dear @VogueArabia – minor correction: “this month the Kingdom of #SaudiArabia is putting women behind bars.. “. There, fixed it for you. https://t.co/LVr4O8NRpF
— bjarke windahl (@bjarkewin) May 30, 2018
What an epic fail! What an insensitive cover! KSA put women rights activists in jail last week, and @VogueArabia is endorsing “change”! So HRH can drive a car, it’s okay, everything is cool, and let @LoujainHathloul and friends burn in hell? Shame on you Mr.Arnaut! ARE YOU BLIND? pic.twitter.com/UgDFo5jDru
— Sanaa (@Sanaalkhoury) May 30, 2018
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