The Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), which incorporates several Sunni Iraqi jihad groups and was declared by Al-Qaeda on October 15, 2006, is attempting to present itself as an actual sovereign state. For example, its official statements are released by its "Information Ministry."

On February 13, 2007, this ministry complained that some satellite TV channels are wrongly attributing its official announcements of responsibility for military operations to "Al-Qaeda in Iraq." It said: "We in the Information Ministry demand that all the satellite channels adhere to the principles of professional media [ethics]. One of the most basic [of these principles] is not to falsify facts and not to change names, but to maintain accuracy." [1]

As part of its efforts to present itself as a state, on February 14, the ISI published recommendations for women drivers that were submitted by the ISI's Shura Council to the Office of the Prime Minister [of the ISI]. [2] Unlike Saudi Arabia, which completely bans women from driving, the ISI permits them to do so, but with certain restrictions.

The following are excerpts:

"The driver will not be younger than 30 years of age.

"[She may drive only] with the consent of her guardian.

"She must have a license from the Women's Driving Education Center.

"She must dress modestly, without [jewelry or makeup].

"She may drive only in the city… not in the suburbs or in rural areas.

"Women may drive only Saturday to Wednesday, 7 AM-8 PM, and Thursday and Friday, 12 PM-8 PM.

"The driver must carry a [mobile] phone in case of emergency.

"In case of problems or a malfunction in the vehicle, she must call the Women's Traffic Center.

"Upon receiving her license, [the driver will] pay a predetermined sum… [entitling her] to auto repair [services]…

"A Women's Traffic Department will be established…

"There will be Women's Traffic Centers in various parts of the city, supervised by senior clerics…

"A [woman's] driver's license is subject to annual renewal…

"[If a woman commits a traffic violation], the representative of the [general] Traffic [department] will contact the Women's Traffic [Department, whose employees will be the only ones authorized] to write her a ticket or to communicate with her at all.

"Anyone violating these rules will be punished, without exception, since any violation offends the [women's] honor and jeopardizes state security.

"Penalties:

"Anyone talking to a woman driver will be sentenced to no less than one month in prison and will be fined; anyone found guilty of pestering, teasing, or pursuing a woman driver will be sentenced to no less than eight months in prison and will be fined…

"If a woman driver is found guilty of immoral or illegal conduct, she will incur the following penalties: on the first offense, her license will be revoked for no less than six months; she will be fined 500-1,000 riyals; she will submit a guarantee to the Women's Traffic [Department] promising never to repeat the offense, and her guardian will receive official notification of the offense." [3]