Saudi teenager fleeing family arrives safely in Canada

The Saudi teenager became a cause celébrè for women’s and refugee rights after fleeing her family during a holiday in Kuwait to seek asylum.

Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, saudi girl Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun escapes saudi arabia, Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun flees saudi arabia, Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun in canada, Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun asks for help, canada, toronto — Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, 18, (right) stands with Saba Abbas from COSTI Immigrant Services as she arrives at Toronto Pearson International Airport, on Saturday. (AP)

Written by Catherine Porter

It was another proud moment for Canada: a Saudi teenager who had just been granted asylum walking through the arrivals gate at Toronto airport embraced by the country’s popular foreign minister.

Wearing a gray sweatshirt emblazoned with the word “Canada,” 18-year-old Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun smiled at the cameras that greeted her. But she left it to Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland to do the talking.

The minister presented her as a “very brave new Canadian.”

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Saudi woman to seek asylum after fleeing family to Thailand

An 18-year-old Saudi woman who fled her family and barricaded herself inside a Bangkok airport hotel to prevent being expelled by Thai authorities has left the airport after talks with the United Nations refugee agency.