Ensaf Haidar

Ensaf Haidar, born in Jizan, Saudi Arabia, is a prominent Saudi-Canadian human rights activist, writer, and politician. She is best known for her unwavering commitment to advocating for freedom of speech and human rights, particularly in the Arab world.

As the wife of Raif Badawi, a Saudi writer and dissident who faced a ten-year prison sentence and a brutal punishment of one thousand lashes in 2014, Haidar has dedicated her life to campaigning for his release. Her efforts have brought international attention to the plight of political prisoners in Saudi Arabia.

In addition to her activism, Haidar serves as the President of the Raif Badawi Foundation for Freedom, an organization that strives to raise awareness about human rights issues and promote freedom of expression across the region.

In 2021, she took her advocacy to the political arena by running as the Bloc Quebecois candidate in Sherbrooke during the Canadian federal election, although she was ultimately not elected.