Rebel: My Escape from Saudi Arabia to Freedom

Mohammed gained international fame when she escaped Saudi Arabia in 2019. In her new memoir, Mohammed describes her life in Saudi Arabia as the daughter of a prominent government official, subject to strict laws that restricted women’s freedoms and opportunities. She was upset by the double standards that allowed men to do activities outside the home and control their own lives, but then oppressed and limited women. Mohammed reflects on her family dynamics and the abuse she suffered when she voiced different opinions and attempted to live her life authentically. Additionally, she interrogates Saudi laws and customs that played key roles in her treatment. After connecting with a group online, Mohammed escaped during a family vacation to Kuwait, but was detained while on a layover in Bangkok. As she resisted attempts to remove her, she mounted a social media campaign for asylum that attracted international media attention. With the help of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, she was granted refugee status in Canada. She describes her life in Canada and closes with a letter to Saudi women who are contemplating escape.