Your Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,
I have just read in an official press release from the Ministry of Culture that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has recently signed an agreement with Le Cirque du Soleil. It is announced that this agreement will allow the presentation of several Cirque shows in the Kingdom and it is stated that the two parties will also develop a “plan to establish a regional training academy and a local office for Cirque du Soleil” in Saudi Arabia.
I would like to congratulate you, Your Royal Highness, for this agreement which comes at a time when the country is undergoing a movement of rebirth and reforms initiated thanks to you. Also, I want to thank you for including this investment in your reform plan, which will influence the future of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As a resident of Quebec, birthplace of Cirque du Soleil, I believe he is the best ambassador to send to the Kingdom in these times of transition.
In this spirit, Your Royal Highness, I take the liberty of drawing your attention to the condition of our family. My husband, Raif Badawi, is nearing the end of his ten-year prison term. But his sentence prohibits him from traveling outside the country for another ten years.
I respectfully request Your Royal Highness to lift this ban. It’s been over ten years since we’ve kissed Raif. He lost forever the happiness of seeing his children grow up. Every day we live together will allow us to try to rebuild our family life. Another decade of separation would be unbearable. We believe that this gesture would be in perfect harmony with the reforms you are undertaking.
Your Royal Highness, I appeal to the father and husband that you are, the fate of our family is in your hands. You are the Qadir, Your Highness, the Crown Prince, so accompany me and my children.
Ensaf Haider, Former Bloc candidate in Sherbrooke and wife of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi