Saudi Take‑Off: From Khashoggi to the Café‑Bailed‑Out Female
Saudi Arabia has stirred up a new wave of outrage in the capital, now that a young woman who fled from her family has snagged Canada’s eyes.
What’s the Tea?
- Rahaf Mohammed al‑Qunun, 18, cut herself off from the world in a Thai airport hotel, tweeting her plea for help and in the end getting a refugee passport from Canada.
- The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) called out “unspecified countries” and some big international players for allegedly pushing women toward doing the opposite of what their families would expect.
- While the US State Department says NSHR is “government‑funded,” the org claims it’s independent. The difference matters more than your last paycheck.
Why Saudi Is in the Spotlight
- Ever since Khashoggi was MIA in Istanbul, critics have slammed Saudi’s human rights record, especially its air‑strike disaster in Yemen.
- Mike Pompeo popped into Riyadh on Monday, chatting with the Saudis about Yemen, Khashoggi, and other “human rights issues.”
- NSHR was “surprised” by what it calls “incitement to rebel against family values.” It left out big names like Canada, Australia, and the UNHCR that granted Rahaf status.
Rahaf’s Road to Freedom
She arrived in Toronto wearing a hoodie that practically shouted “Canada” and a UNHCR cap. Canadian FM Chrystia Freeland made a grand entrance at the airport, calling her “a very brave new Canadian.”
It doesn’t help the picture that Canada and Riyadh are currently on a “zero‑trouble” relationship. Ottawa demanded the release of jailed activists, Saudi furiously sent back their ambassador, pulled out sellers, and halted trade.
Guardianship Grit
The Saudi guardianship system is the real kicker: girls often need a male relative’s “okay” to leave the country. Some end up trapped in abusive homes. Even though the law let’s women report abuse, in practice many fear that hitting the police will just fire the hottest bullet.
Bottom Line
Rahaf’s escape and Canada’s offer have magnified the tensions and spotlighted the long‑awaited crack at the guardianship rule. In a country where the blink of a mosque’s mirror tells you who’s in charge, the story is a burst of caution and hope—flipped on its head.
