NPR

Saudi Woman Who Fled Country Hopes She Inspires Others To Follow

Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun captured the attention of the world in a series of social media posts pleading for asylum. Her family, who she claimed was abusive, has disowned her.
Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, center, is welcomed by Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland as she arrives at Pearson International airport in Toronto, Ontario, on January 12. The young Saudi woman who fled her family successfully harnessing the power of Twitter to secure asylum in Canada.

The 18-year-old Saudi woman who secured asylum in Canada hopes other women will be inspired to follow in her footsteps.

After she learned on social media that her family had disowned her, Alqunun said she'd like to drop her family name and go by Rahaf Mohammed, the reports. It's her latest show of defiance against a family she says abused her, in a country that forces women to get a man's permission to travel or marry.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR4 min read
The Dos And Don'ts Of Lending Money
What do you do if a loved one asks to borrow a big sum of money from you? Experts weigh in on when it's OK to fork over the cash — and when you should probably say no.
NPR2 min readInternational Relations
Israeli Forces Take Control Of The Gaza Side Of The Rafah Crossing With Egypt
An Israeli tank brigade seized control Tuesday of the Gaza Strip side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, authorities said, as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remain on a knife's edge.
NPR6 min readCrime & Violence
Taliban Affirms That Stoning Will Be Punishment For Adulterers — Especially Women
In a recording, the group's leader declared: "We will flog the women ... we will stone them to death in public [for crimes]." What does Islamic law say on the matter? And have stonings taken place?

Related Books & Audiobooks