Rajaa al-Sanea

Rajaa al-Sanea (رجاء بنت عبد الله الصانع; born 1981) is a Saudi writer who became famous through her novel Girls of Riyadh (بنات الرياض‎ Banāt al-Riyāḍ). The book was first published in Lebanon in 2005 and in English in 2007. The book was long-listed for the Dublin Literary Award in 2009.

Al-Sanea grew up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the daughter of a family of doctors. She received her bachelor's degree in Dentistry from King Saud University in 2005. She continued her education in the United States with the support of the King Abdullah scholarship program.[1] In 2008, Al-Sanea received her master’s degree in Oral Sciences from University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry.[2] Since returning to Saudi Arabia, she has served as a consultant endodontist and researcher in the stem cell therapy program at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh.[2]

Her novel and lifestyle have caused controversy especially among the conservative sections of the Saudi society but more liberal-minded individuals considered her a role model.