Whisperer

Former GulfWeekly photographer Ansar Ahmed shared her joy and excitement over the lifting of the female driving ban in Saudi Arabia by hopping in her car and zipping over the border to celebrate with friends.

Ansar aimed to be the first Bahraini woman to cross the border and was so eager to take on the challenge, she arrived at 9.45pm. She was given a commemorative plaque by customs officials as soon as she set off across the bridge. She drove across at 12.07am.

The 33-year-old administrator at Tails Clinic had been waiting for this moment since she was 15. She said: “I am so thrilled! I couldn’t believe it, it was so surreal. While yes, I was excited to drive into Saudi Arabia, I had always dreamed of owning a motorhome or trailer and going on journeys by road and now this is possible.”

To prove the point, adventurer Ansar continued on her journey all the way to Kuwait arriving at 5.40am. She added: “It’s about time they lifted this ban and it is a proud day for Saudi Arabian women and women everywhere. Congratulations my sisters!”