Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN)– Jared Kushner, son-in-law and advisor to former US President Donald Trump, has published memoirs entitled “breaking History” in which he touched on the position of Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, the UAE National Security Adviser, who pushed the Saudi Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman to smile regarding Saudi women’s leadership.
Kushner wrote: “In the main banquet hall for lunch with Arab leaders, Mohammed bin Salman had me and Ivanka seated at a table with him. When we sat down, he introduced me to the other leaders at the table. He told me these were ‘Jared Kushners’ from the Middle East — They didn’t all have obvious nicknames, but if I need to get anything done in their countries, I should call them…”
Kushner continued, “When we got to know each other, I was moved by their openness to reform. At one point, the National Security Adviser to the UAE, Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, told Ivanka with a smile, ‘Go ahead, ask Mohammed bin Salman when he will allow women to drive’,” he heard. Salman made the proposal and smiled a big smile. He (Mohammed bin Salman) said: ‘Very soon’…
He added: “Ivanka was surprised, but also pleased. She confirmed what she had heard at the Women Small Entrepreneurs Roundtable earlier that day. The women discussed openly how the driving ban was not the only obstacle to their success. Guardianship laws – which prevent them from having an account A banker or real estate – their ability to start and grow a business. The fact that women were speaking out regarding this challenge at an event organized by Mohammed bin Salman was an indication that they knew he was open to reforms.”
And he continued, “One year later, Mohammed bin Salman surprised the world and took steps to lift the ban on driving. The following year, he changed guardianship laws.”
