In pictures – Saudi Arabia: women take the wheel

Since Sunday, June 24 at midnight, women are officially allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. This is a first in the country, and it has been expected since September 26, 2017 when King Salman signed a decree allowing women to drive.

From Riyadh to Castellet

Many Saudi women were counting the minutes separating them from this fateful hour on Saturday. Hundreds of them took the wheel only seconds after midnight. A moment of history that has been massively relayed on social media.

Women welcomed to #Saudi roads. https://t.co/0PPXnlW363 #SaudiArabia #ArabNews #SaudiWomenDriving pic.twitter.com/s5pjJnPF1h

— Arab News (@arabnews) June 25, 2018

#المراه_السعوديه_تقود_السياره

10/10/1439
Great day for all Saudi women ??? pic.twitter.com/ybHiFp5LZz

— Sh ☤︎ (@1ksxh) June 24, 2018

The event was also echoed in France, where first female member of Saudi National Federation of Motorsport Aseel Al-Hamad drove a Renault Formula 1 car at the opening of the Grand Prix du Castellet, in the Var.

What a day for @ASEEL_ALHAMAD!
It’s been a privilege to celebrate her passion for motorsport on this important occasion. ?#RSspirit #FrenchGP #SheDrives pic.twitter.com/FMeXtn4E55

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) 24 juin 2018

Les hommes applaudissent

As spectators of the event in Saudi Arabia, men have mainly shown enthusiasm, encouraging their new driving fellows.

Mabkhoutah al-Mari, mother of 2, drives herself to work for the first time today in Riyadh after #Saudi lifts world’s last remaining ban on women driving. Her older brother sends her off with encouraging words of support. Highlight: A drive-thru coffee run! #SaudiWomenDriving pic.twitter.com/uCXza3D4cC

— Aya Batrawy (@ayaelb) June 24, 2018

Some police officers also distributed roses to the first female drivers on the roads of the kingdom.

Photos: #Saudi police hand out roses to Kingdom’s first women drivershttps://t.co/jq09F0emVL#SaudiWomenDriving pic.twitter.com/Sw3fZVpZC2

— Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) June 24, 2018