Saudi Arabian teen creates international headlines from local travesty.

Out of millions of refugees, teen Rahaf Mohammed stands out with a viral escape.

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Story by Joseph Kamandy, Multimedia Editor
January 28, 2019

 Beaten. Severely threatened by those considered as “family,” Saudi Arabian teen Rahaf Mohammed has risked her life in an attempt to gain the freedom she most desperately needed, hoping to inspire others in doing the same.

  While spending time in Kuwait meant for family holiday purposes, 18-year-old Mohammed took it upon herself in searching for an opportunity in escaping.

  Flying to Thailand, Mohammed entered a Bangkok hotel, locking herself in her room to escape a Saudi Arabian ambassador and Thai authorities from returning her. In hopes of sparking attention, she created a Twitter account, sharing the circumstances she had dealt with. From being threatened by her own family to being treated as if she were a slave, activists across the globe became quickly aware of her situation, reaching support from the United Nations refugee agency.

  “I believe women like her are afraid to leave because they have been stripped of any independence, making it impossible to get away. It takes a lot of strength to do what these women have done, hopefully inspiring others that they too can live better lives,” Luis Rosas (11) said.

  In her first interviews, Mohammed made sure to point out her country’s strict patriarchal guardianship laws, giving women no right to act freely based on their own will.

  “I want to be independent, travel, make my own decisions on education, have a career, or who and when I should marry. I had no say in any of this. Today, I can proudly say that I am capable of making all those decisions,” Rahaf Mohammed said.

  Following Mohammed’s successful attempt for freedom, she expects other women in similar conditions to do the same: to strive in gaining their needed rights.

  “No one wants or deserves to experience any type of abuse, especially when it comes from your own family. Thus, her choice to leave her family is mostly justified,” D’Andre Jorge (11) said.

  As of now, Mohammed has chosen to remain unbothered from the public eye and further interviews, wanting a private life with a new start in Canada.