A Saudi online newspaper says more than 3,000 nationals of the kingdom, including prominent writers and academics, have endorsed a study that recommends lifting a ban on women driving.

According to the Associated Press, Sabaq quoted on Tuesday, Dec 18, Abdullah al-Alami, a researcher who contributed to the study, as saying it was sent to King Abdullah's main advisory body, the Shura Council, asking them to set a date to discuss it.

The key religious leaders in the ultraconservative Muslim kingdom want to maintain the practice of not letting women drive, but some other less influential religious scholars have backed a movement to encourage the king to change the laws.

King Abdullah has allowed women to join the Shura Council as well as vote and run in next year's municipal elections.