Written for The Financial Times, The Guardian, and The New Arab.
She has written extensively on climate change, focusing on how former colonies manage the crisis better than Europe and the UK’s role as a leading e-waste offender. Her political memoir, My Hair is Pink Under This Veil (2021), was published by Biteback. She is an Aziz Foundation scholar, currently pursuing an MA in Creative Writing at Birkbeck University.
Rabina’s father moved to Britain in the 1950s to work at the East End Docks, and she and her mother joined him in Kent in 1975, where they were the only family of color on their street. She lives in London with her husband and children, and has a mild obsession with masala chai.
Q&A
What is your favourite campaign of the last year?
A follow-up to the Carrying a Blade Doesn’t Give You an Edge campaign features a smashed phone with unanswered messages and calls from a boy’s mother, aiming to resonate with parents worried about teenagers and violent crime. First launched in October 2023, the campaign continues to raise awareness about the dangers of knife-carrying and offers support for young people aged 11 to 24 who feel pressured into carrying blades.
Who is your communicator of the year?
Riz Ahmed (Actor, Rapper, and Activist)
Why: Riz Ahmed remains a key figure in challenging Islamophobia and racism in the UK. Through his work, including the award-winning short film The Long Goodbye, he continues to address the misrepresentation of Muslims in the media. In 2024, Riz expanded his focus to highlight the impact of war and conflict on Muslim populations, using his advocacy and media appearances to amplify these issues and promote greater awareness and change.