Saeed Al Tenaiji is an Emirati researcher and currently heads both the Gulf Center for Studies and Dialogue and the Emirati Association Against Normalization with Israel. He was also member of the Reform and Social Guidance Association (Al Islah), an association that had been operating in the UAE since 1974 but was banned by the authorities in March 2014.
Al Tenaiji belongs to the UAE 94, a group of Emirati scholars, activists, lawyers, doctors and human rights defenders who were put on mass trial in 2013, after signing a petition calling for greater democratic reforms within the Emirates, including the establishment of democratic elections for all members of the Federal National Council.
On July 2, 2013, Al Tenaiji was convicted in absentia to 15 years of prison based on vague national security-related charges by the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi.
On September 13, 2021, the UAE Cabinet issued Resolution No. 83 of 2021, designating 38 individuals, including al-Tenaiji, and 15 entities on its national terrorism list.
