• Noura Al Ali, centre, is a female driving instructor in Basra, Iraq. She teaches women to drive, which until recently was an unusual vocation in a city with conservative cultural and religious values. All photos by Reuters
    Noura Al Ali, centre, is a female driving instructor in Basra, Iraq. She teaches women to drive, which until recently was an unusual vocation in a city with conservative cultural and religious values. All photos by Reuters
  • Noura, 29, instructs her pupil in driving theory. 'I established the driving centre seven years ago,' she says. 'I only managed to prove myself in the past year in terms of societal and family challenges.'
    Noura, 29, instructs her pupil in driving theory. 'I established the driving centre seven years ago,' she says. 'I only managed to prove myself in the past year in terms of societal and family challenges.'
  • Noura instructs a pupil behind the wheel. She says women drivers are becoming more accepted in Basra society.
    Noura instructs a pupil behind the wheel. She says women drivers are becoming more accepted in Basra society.
  • 'It's really nice that society started accepting these things (women driving) and supporting it unlike in the past,' says Noura.
    'It's really nice that society started accepting these things (women driving) and supporting it unlike in the past,' says Noura.
  • 'In previous years women were not as well informed, women did not have enough space,' she says. 'Now, following my interaction with women, I see that the situation is getting better.'
    'In previous years women were not as well informed, women did not have enough space,' she says. 'Now, following my interaction with women, I see that the situation is getting better.'
  • 'Driving gives a woman a stable and strong personality and makes her fear nothing and does not make her rely on anyone in life,' says Noura.
    'Driving gives a woman a stable and strong personality and makes her fear nothing and does not make her rely on anyone in life,' says Noura.
  • As well as teaching women to drive, Noura's classes provides a space where they can openly discuss challenges related to rights and freedoms
    As well as teaching women to drive, Noura's classes provides a space where they can openly discuss challenges related to rights and freedoms
  • Noura and her brother on their way to the Driving Training Centre in Basra.
    Noura and her brother on their way to the Driving Training Centre in Basra.

MENA

Female driving instructor teaches women to drive in Basra - in pictures

Noura Al Ali says her driving lessons are empowering

The National

February 16, 2022

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  • Arabic
Updated: February 16, 2022, 10:32 AM
IraqPhotography