Sheikha Sheikh ( , , , , ''shuyūkh'' ) is an honorific title in the Arabic language, literally meaning "elder (administrative title), elder". It commonly designates a tribal chief or a Muslim ulama, scholar. Though this title generally refers to me ...

Asma Al-Rayyan, also known as Asma Rayan and Asma Arian, is a German-Qatari human rights advocate and a member of the extended

Qatari royal family The House of Thani () is the ruling family of Qatar, with origins tracing back to the Adnanite Banu Tamim tribe. Today Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his mother Moza bint Nassir lead the house. History and structure The Al Thani family can be t ...

. She is the wife of Sheikh Talal bin Abdelaziz bin Ahmed Al-Thani, a son of the former Crown Prince

Abdelaziz bin Ahmed Al Thani Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Ahmad bin Ali bin Abdullah bin Jassim bin Muhammed Al Thani (; c. 1946 – February 14, 2008) was the eldest son of the Emir of the State of Qatar Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani. Biography Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Thani was bor ...

. Since her husband, and nineteen other members of the Qatari royal family, were arrested in 2013 for opposing the diplomatic and economic policies of Emir

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (; born 3 June 1980) is Emir of Qatar, reigning since 2013. Tamim is the fourth son of former emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, born to his second spouse, Moza bint Nasser, Moza bint Nassir. He became heir ...

, Al-Rayyan has been an outspoken critic of the Emir and his government. Left impoverished after her husband was stripped of his inheritance and his assets were frozen, she took her children to Germany, where she is a citizen. Al-Rayyan is a supporter of public education and public healthcare and has given speeches advocating for the rights of Qatari women, children, and royal family members who oppose the Emir's government.

Biography

Al-Rayyan married Sheikh Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Thani, a member of the

and the son of former Minister of Finance Sheikh

, in 2007. Her husband's grandfather was Sheikh

Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani Ahmad bin Ali bin Abdullah bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani (; 1922 – 25 November 1977) was the Emir of Qatar who ruled from 1960 to 1972. Qatar's financial status improved significantly during his reign as a result of the enrichment and disc ...

, who ruled as the

Emir of Qatar The Emir of the State of Qatar () is the monarch and head of state of the country. The emir is also the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and guarantor of the Constitution. The emir holds the most powerful position in the country, and has a ...

from 1960 to 1972 until he was overthrown by his cousin, Sheikh

Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani (; 17 September 1932 – 23 October 2016) was the Emir of Qatar from 1972 Qatari coup d'état, 27 February 1972 until he was deposed by his son Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Hamad bin Khalifa in a 1995 Qatari coup d'� ...

. She and Sheikh Talal have four children: Sheikha Al-Anoud bin Talal bin Abdelaziz Al Thani, Sheikha Al-Joharah bin Talal bin Abdelaziz Al Thani, Sheikh Abdullah bin Talal bin Abdelaziz Al Thani, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Talal bin Abdelaziz Al Thani. Al-Rayyan's father-in-law died in exile in

Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about , making it the List of Asian countries ...

in 2008. After his death, tensions rose between members of the royal family. Her husband's assets were frozen by the Qatari government and he was prevented from receiving his inheritance. Due to the block on their finances, her husband was imprisoned for not paying his debts in 2013 and was given a sentence of twenty-two years. He was one of twenty Qatari royals that were arrested by order of the Emir. Those arrested, supposedly for opposing economic and diplomatic policies in Qatar, were all related to Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Thani, who was detained in the

United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a Federal monarchy, federal elective monarchy made up of Emirates of the United Arab E ...

. Al-Rayyan stated that she believes her family is being punished as revenge for a generational family feud. After her husband's arrest, the Qatari government forced Al-Rayyan and her children out of their home, without being allowed to take any of their belongings, and put them in makeshift housing built for

FIFA The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (), more commonly known by its acronym FIFA ( ), is the international self-regulatory governing body of association football, beach soccer, and futsal. It was founded on 21 May 1904 to o ...

workers. The house was poorly constructed over sewage water, had no air conditioning, and was infested with insects. Their assets were frozen and they were denied proper medical care. Al-Rayyan's children were denied transportation access and funds for their tuitions at German International School Doha, and were therefore unable to attend school. Al-Rayyan moved her children into a hotel after her son fell severely ill from the poor living conditions. She petitioned the government for proper housing and financial aid, but was denied. Al-Rayyed accused the Emir of human rights violations and of absolutism, claiming that the Qatari courts have no power. Al-Rayyan fled Qatar with her children, and brought them to her native Germany. In 2019, Al-Rayyan testified before the Club Suisse de la Press in

Geneva Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...

, accusing the Qatari government of denying her children their rights as members of the royal family. She also stated that 90-95% of Qatari citizens do not have proper living conditions and that preferential treatment is given to families who work for the government. Al-Rayyan advocated for public healthcare and public education in Qatar. She filed a complaint with the

United Nations Commission on Human Rights The United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) was a functional commission within the United Nations System, overall framework of the United Nations from 1946 until it was replaced by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2006. It was a ...

and met with the Head of the Middle East Department, Muhammad al-Nsour, in Geneva.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rayyan, Asma Living people Children's rights activists Exiled royalty German human rights activists German Muslims German women activists German women's rights activists House of Thani Qatari exiles Qatari human rights activists Qatari Muslims Qatari royalty Princesses by marriage Year of birth missing (living people) People of Arab descent