:Rabina Khan

Khan's father worked as a machine operator at Chatham Dockyards in Kent; he returned to Bangladesh to get married. Khan was born in Sylhet District, Bangladesh, and moved to England with her mother at the age of three.{{cite news |last=Kemp|first=Charlotte|url=http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/the-veil-should-not-be-a-barrier-between-women#full|title=The veil should not be a barrier between women|location=Abu Dhabi|newspaper=The National|date=29 August 2009|access-date=1 May 2012}} Khan grew up in Rochester, Kent.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nbq6b|title=Rabina Khan: Redefining Multiculturalism|work=Four Thought|publisher=BBC Radio 4|date=17 October 2012|access-date=3 December 2012}} She is the eldest of five siblings, comprising one brother and three sisters.

In 1992, at the age of 19, after completing her A-levels, Khan had an arranged marriage with trainee teacher Aminur Rashid Khan (born 1968), and moved to Tower Hamlets, London.{{cite web |url=http://www.authorsonline.co.uk/author/Rabina+Khan/ |url-status=dead |title=Rabina Khan: Biography |website=Authors OnLine Self Publishing |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130419155116/http://www.authorsonline.co.uk/author/Rabina+Khan/ |archive-date=19 April 2013}} At around the age of 22, Khan began wearing a hijab.

In 1991, Khan's first job was securing work experience placements for secondary school pupils. Khan has since worked as a community regeneration worker in the Isle of Dogs, Tower Hamlets in the East End of London.{{cite news |last=Saini|first=Angela|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2007/01/29/rabina_khan_feature.shtml|title=Racism in words|location=London|work=BBC News|date=1 February 2007|access-date=1 May 2012}} She has worked for Tower Hamlets Council in the social and education sectors, and for government regeneration initiatives such as Bethnal Green City Challenge managing education and empowerment projects for women and young girls from ethnic minority communities. She has also been involved in community initiatives in Tower Hamlets.{{cite web |url=http://www.fore-word.com/authorRabina.htm|title=Author profile: Rabina Khan|website=Fore-word Press Ltd|year=2005|access-date=1 May 2012}}

In October 2012, Khan contributed on BBC Radio 4's Four Thought in a discussion about "redefining multiculturalism".

In 2003, Khan's first novel Rainbow Hands was published. This was followed by a short story If Birds Could Fly, which was published in Channel 4's TN4 Magazine.{{cite web |url=http://www.rabinakhan.com/writing.htm |title=Books and Writing |website=Rabina Khan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201230107/http://www.rabinakhan.com/writing.htm |archive-date=1 February 2014}} In September 2006, her second novel Ayesha's Rainbow was published.{{cite book |last=Khan |first=Rabina |title=Ayesha's Rainbow |isbn=978-0954886721 |year=2006 |publisher=Fore-Word }} Ayesha's Rainbow is a children's novel, which tells the story of a seven-year-old Bangladeshi girl growing up in London's East End who befriends an elderly white neighbour. The story explores racism, prejudice and stereotyping that young Muslims experience in Britain. It is partly autobiographical, based on Khan's own experiences growing up in Britain in the 1980s and 1990s, and working as a community safety officer in the Isle of Dogs when British National Party candidate, Derek Beackon, was elected as a councillor in September 1993.{{cite web |url=http://www.asiansinmedia.org/news/article.php/publishing/1737 |url-status=usurped |title=Book week: Profile – Rabina Khan |work=Asians in Media |date=14 September 2007 |access-date=1 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004320/http://www.asiansinmedia.org/news/article.php/publishing/1737 |archive-date=3 December 2013 }}{{cite web |last=Rahman|first=Emdad|url=http://www.cybersylhet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45:ayeshas-rainbow-by-rabina-khan&catid=34:the-way-it-is&Itemid=61|title=Ayesha's Rainbow: By Rabina Khan|website=CyberSylhet.com|date=September 2006|access-date=1 August 2015}}

Khan was awarded a place on the Royal Literary Fund Mentoring Scheme and asked to take part in the 2004 and 2005 Spitafields Women's Literary Festival.{{cite web |url=http://www.fore-word.com/authorRabina.htm|title=author Rabina Khan|website=fore-word press|access-date=1 August 2015}}

In June 2005, Khan co-founded Monsoon Press with Rekha Waheed.

She has also been involved in editing the anthologies Silent Voices{{cite book |last=Khan |first=Rabina |title=Silent Voices |publisher=Monsoon Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0955726705 }} and Behind the Hijab.{{cite book |last=Khan |first=Rabina |title=Behind the Hijab |publisher=Monsoon Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-0955726712 }} From January 2006 to January 2008, Khan was writer in residence at Central Foundation Girls' School, where she developed 'Exploring the Unthinkable', a project that explored equalities and diversity issues using creative writing and the arts.{{cite news |last=McAlea|first=Leigh|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2007/07/11/towerhamlets_foundation_feature.shtml|title=Spare Time|location=London|work=BBC News|date=11 July 2007|access-date=1 August 2015}}

Khan has worked as a freelance creative consultant for the BBC, ITV, Rich Mix Cultural Foundation and the Wellcome Trust. She has contributed to BBC Asian Network.{{cite web |url=http://www.silsilaproductions.co.uk/Challenging%20Extremism.html|title=Projects – Challenging Extremism|website=Silsila Productions|date=21 May 2009|access-date=1 May 2012}} Rabina Khan In 2006, Khan featured in and was a script advisor for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's documentary Young, British and Muslim.

In January 2007, Khan founded television production company, Silsila Productions.{{cite web |url=http://www.towerhamletsarts.org.uk/?cat=29&cid=29094&guide=Artists|title=Rabina Khan – Artists directory|work=Arts & Entertainment|publisher=Tower Hamlets|access-date=1 May 2012}} Since 2007, she has been a Creative Director at Silsila Productions. In 2007, she also wrote the play Shilpa and Jade for the Wellcome Trust Pulse Project.{{cite web|url=http://www.mbalit.co.uk/author/510|title=Rabina Khan|website=MBA Literary Agents|access-date=3 December 2012|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203040222/http://www.mbalit.co.uk/author/510|url-status=dead}} In 2009, she wrote the screenplay Shahid and Annika.{{cite web|url=http://www.silsilaproductions.co.uk/Behind%20the%20Hijab.html|title=Projects – Behind the Hijab|website=Silsila Productions|date=4 March 2009|access-date=1 May 2012|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211847/http://www.silsilaproductions.co.uk/Behind%20the%20Hijab.html|url-status=dead}} Rabina Khan She wrote and produced two short films: The Good Wife, sponsored by Sixteen Films, and Shrouded, commissioned by London Met Services.

In May 2021, her autobiographical non-fiction book My Hair is Pink Under This Veil was published by Biteback Publishing.{{cite book |last=Khan |first=Rabina |title=My Hair Is Pink Under This Veil |publisher=Biteback Publishing |year=2021 |isbn=978-1785906466 }}

In the May 2010 Tower Hamlets Council election, Khan won a seat in Shadwell for the Labour Party.{{cite web |url=http://democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=12&RPID=5824444|title=Election results for Shadwell|publisher=Tower Hamlets Council|date=6 May 2010|access-date=1 June 2015}} In October 2010, she was suspended along with nine other councillors from the Labour Party for supporting the newly elected independent Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman.{{cite news |last=Gilligan|first=Andrew|url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/andrewgilligan/100056657/lutfur-rahman-eleven-are-expelled-from-the-labour-party/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101003040305/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/andrewgilligan/100056657/lutfur-rahman-eleven-are-expelled-from-the-labour-party/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 October 2010|title=Lutfur Rahman: Eleven are expelled from the Labour Party|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=1 October 2010|access-date=1 May 2012}}{{Cite web|url=https://5pillarsuk.com/2015/05/01/rabina-khan-chosen-by-lutfur-rahman-to-run-for-mayor-of-tower-hamlets/|title=Rabina Khan chosen by Lutfur Rahman to run for mayor of Tower Hamlets|last=5Pillars|date=2015-05-01|website=5Pillars|access-date=2019-05-26}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/davehillblog/2015/jun/10/tower-hamlets-the-rise-and-fall-lutfur-rahman|title=Tower Hamlets: the rise and fall of Lutfur Rahman|last=Hill|first=Dave|date=2015-06-10|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-05-26|issn=0261-3077}} In May 2014, she was re-elected in the Shadwell ward as a candidate for Tower Hamlets First,{{cite web |url=http://democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=80|title=Election results for Shadwell|publisher=Tower Hamlets Council|date=22 May 2014|access-date=1 June 2015}} a party set up by Rahman. She was a member of Tower Hamlets First until it was disbanded in April 2015 following electoral corruption by Rahman.{{cite news |last=Croucher|first=Shane|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/rabina-khan-lutfur-rahman-not-bankrolling-my-tower-hamlets-mayor-campaign-1505243.html|title=Rabina Khan: Lutfur Rahman is not bankrolling my Tower Hamlets mayor campaign|newspaper=International Business Times|date=10 June 2015|access-date=11 June 2015}}

From October 2010 to April 2015, Khan was also the Cabinet Member of Housing.{{cite web |url=http://directory.londoncouncils.gov.uk/directory/towerhamlets/executive/|title=London Borough of Tower Hamlets|website= London Councils' Directory|year=2012|access-date=1 May 2012}}{{cite news |last=Sabbagh|first=Dan|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/22/tower-hamlets-labour-win-in-londons-diverse-borough-is-far-from-certain|title=Labour faces new challenge from old foes in Tower Hamlets vote|newspaper=The Guardian|date=22 April 2018|access-date=23 April 2018}}

In April 2015, Khan along with the remaining 17 Tower Hamlets First councillors was described by Commissioner Richard Mawrey QC, acting as a judge in an election court investigating Lutfur Rahman's election, as being elected to Tower Hamlets Council "with the benefit of the corrupt and illegal practices", although Khan was not implicated in any claims of electoral fraud. In the same month, Khan announced that she would stand in the by-election for mayor of Tower Hamlets, supported by Rahman{{cite news |last=Brooke|first=Mike|url=http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/politics/rabina_khan_takes_on_fight_for_sacked_mayor_rahman_for_tower_hamlets_re_run_election_1_4056687|title=Rabina Khan takes on fight for sacked mayor Rahman for Tower Hamlets re-run election|location=London|work=East London Advertiser|date=1 May 2015|access-date=30 April 2015}}{{cite news |last=de Peyer|first=Robin|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/disgraced-tower-hamlets-mayor-lutfur-rahman-calls-on-supporters-to-donate-funds-for-legal-challenge-at-mass-rally-10217290.html|title=Disgraced ex-Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman calls on supporters to donate funds for legal challenge|location=London|newspaper=London Evening Standard|date=30 April 2015|access-date=1 May 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www.itv.com/news/london/update/2015-04-30/lutfur-rahman-names-woman-he-wants-to-succeed-him-as-mayor/|title=Lutfur Rahman names woman he wants to succeed him as mayor|location=London|work=ITV News|date=30 April 2015|access-date=1 June 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www.bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/05/02/disgraced-lutfur-rahman-endorses-rabina-khan-for-tower-hamlets-mayor|title=Disgraced Lutfur Rahman endorses Rabina Khan for Tower Hamlets mayor|location=Bangladesh|work=Bdnews24.com|date=2 May 2015|access-date=2 May 2015}}{{cite news |last=Abedin|first=Syed Zahirul|url=http://www.newsbangladesh.com/english/Rabina-Khan-intends-to-lead-transparent-Tower-Hamlets/3788|title=Rabina Khan intends to lead transparent Tower Hamlets|work=News Bangladesh|date=9 June 2015|access-date=1 July 2015}}{{cite news |last=Hill|first=Dave|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/davehillblog/2015/jun/05/nerves-and-defiance-in-re-run-tower-hamlets-mayoral-race|title=Nerves and defiance in re-run Tower Hamlets mayoral race|newspaper=The Guardian|date=5 June 2015|access-date=13 July 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/politics/rabina_khan_takes_on_fight_for_sacked_mayor_rahman_for_tower_hamlets_re_run_election_1_4056687 |title=Rabina Khan takes on fight for sacked mayor Rahman for Tower Hamlets re-run election |author=Mike Brooke |newspaper=Docklands and East London Advertiser |date=1 May 2015 |access-date=1 May 2015}} and all the former Tower Hamlets First councillors.{{cite news |last=Croucher|first=Shane|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/tower-hamlets-rabina-khan-campaign-tainted-by-lutfur-rahman-corruption-shadow-troubled-east-end-1505064|title=Tower Hamlets: Rabina Khan campaign tainted by Lutfur Rahman corruption shadow in troubled East End borough|newspaper=International Business Times|date=10 June 2015|access-date=11 March 2018}} In May 2015, she stood as an independent candidate{{cite news |last=Sewell|first=Dave|url=http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art/40622/Rabina+Khans+anti-austerity+message+welcome+in+Tower+Hamlets|title=Rabina Khan's anti-austerity message welcome in Tower Hamlets|newspaper=Socialist Worker|date=26 May 2015|access-date=1 June 2015}} and came second to Labour candidate John Biggs.{{cite news |last=Saini|first=Angela|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33105311|title=Tower Hamlets election: Labour's John Biggs named mayor|location=London|work=BBC News|date=12 June 2015|access-date=12 June 2015}}{{cite news |last=Syal|first=Rajeev|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/12/john-biggs-elected-as-labour-mayor-of-tower-hamlets|title=John Biggs elected as Labour mayor of Tower Hamlets|newspaper=The Guardian|date=12 June 2015|access-date=13 July 2015}}

Khan was subsequently re-elected as a councillor as a member of the Tower Hamlets Independent Group (THIG).{{cite news |last=Baynes|first=Mark|url=http://www.lovewapping.org/2017/01/lutfur-rahman-makes-comeback-with-new-political-party-tower-hamlets-together/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127161116/http://lovewapping.org/2017/01/lutfur-rahman-makes-comeback-with-new-political-party-tower-hamlets-together/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=27 January 2017|title=Exclusive: Lutfur Rahman making political comeback with new party|work=Love Wapping|date=24 January 2017|access-date=31 January 2017}} In November 2016, she defected from THIG to form the People's Alliance of Tower Hamlets (PATH), which was formally recognised as a political party by the Electoral Commission in February 2018.{{cite news |last=Brooke|first=Mike|url=http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/politics/rabina_khan_takes_on_fight_for_sacked_mayor_rahman_for_tower_hamlets_re_run_election_1_4056687|title=Electoral Commission gives People's Alliance of Tower Hamlets recognition as a political party for council election|location=London|work=East London Advertiser|date=28 February 2018|access-date=2 March 2018}}

In May 2018, Khan stood in the elections for the directly elected Mayor of Tower Hamlets.{{cite news |last=Brooke|first=Mike|url=http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/politics/rivals-for-tower-hamlets-mayor-vote-in-tug-of-war-with-oaps-in-row-over-protocol-breach-1-5423792|title=Tower Hamlets mayor election rivals in tug-of-war as 'breach of protocol' row erupts|location=London|work=East London Advertiser|date=7 March 2018|access-date=11 March 2018}} She came second{{cite news |last=Brooke|first=Mike|url=http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/politics/election-labour-s-john-biggs-wins-tower-hamlets-mayor-poll-double-his-rival-s-votes-1-5505578|title=ELECTION: Labour's John Biggs wins Tower Hamlets' mayor poll — double his rival's votes|location=London|work=East London Advertiser|date=4 May 2018|access-date=5 May 2018}}{{cite news |last=Powell|first=Tom|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/local-elections-2018-labour-gains-control-of-tower-hamlets-as-last-council-in-england-declares-a3831901.html|title=Local Elections 2018: Labour gains control of Tower Hamlets as last council in England declares|location=London|newspaper=London Evening Standard|date=5 May 2018|access-date=5 May 2018}} and was re-elected as a councillor,{{cite web |url=https://democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?XXR=0&ID=139&RPID=13651280|title=Election results for Shadwell|publisher=Tower Hamlets Council|date=3 May 2018|access-date=3 May 2018}} PATH's only win{{cite web |url=https://democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mgElectionResults.aspx?ID=43&V=1&RPID=13651166|title=Local Elections – Thursday, 3rd May, 2018|publisher=Tower Hamlets Council|date=3 May 2018|access-date=3 May 2018}} and the only former Tower Hamlets First seat not taken by Labour.

Khan disbanded PATH in August 2018 with her and her fellow members joining the Liberal Democrats, making her the only Liberal Democrat councillor on Tower Hamlets Council.{{cite news |title=Rabina Khan joins Liberal Democrats |url=http://eastlondonnews.co.uk/rabina-khan-joins-liberal-democrats/ |work=East London News}}

In the 2019 European Elections she was a candidate for the Liberal Democrats in the London region. In September 2019, she was announced as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Kensington for the 2019 United Kingdom general election.{{cite tweet |last=Kahn |first=Rabina |user=RabinaKhan |number=1172250798748766216 |date=12 September 2019 |title=I'm standing in Kensington to represent a constituency and its diverse needs, I respect the wishes of the majority of its residents to Remain in Europe. Together we can stop Brexit and bring a sense of harmony back to the constituency. #StopTheBrexit}} She was appointed to be the Communities Special Advisor to the Liberal Democrat Leader in the House of Lords, Lord Newby.{{cite web |url=http://www.kclibdems.org.uk/rabina_khan_appointed_as_special_advisor_to_libdem_leader_in_the_house_of_lords |title=Rabina Khan appointed as special advisor to LibDem Leader in the House of Lords |website=Kensington & Chelsea Liberal Democrats}} Sam Gyimah MP, elected as a Conservative but who had defected to the LibDems, became the candidate instead; he came third in the election.{{cite news | title=Former Tory Minister Sam Gyimah: I can take Kensington for the Lib Dems| url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/former-tory-minister-sam-gyimah-i-can-take-kensington-for-the-lib-dems-a4273231.html |website=standard.co.uk |date=29 October 2019}}

She stood in the 2022 Tower Hamlets Mayoral contest for the Liberal Democrats and for reelection to her Shadwell seat. She lost both. However, her mayoral candidacy helped the Liberal Democrats supplant the Conservatives for the first time in the borough's mayoral vote.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/lib-dems-mayor-candidate-2022-rabina-khan-8626024|title=Lib Dem candidate for Tower Hamlets mayor announced|work=East London Advertiser|date=17 January 2022}}

Khan has been awarded a Tower Hamlets Civic Award. In 2010, she was short listed for the European Muslim Women of Influence Award. In October 2014, she was named 'hero of the year' in the European Diversity awards for her engagement in the East End and wider society.{{cite news|last=Asaad Buaras|first=Elham|url=http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/newspaper/home-news/muslim-councillor-wins-european-diversity-award/|title=Muslim Councillor wins European diversity award|work=The Muslim News|date=28 November 2014|access-date=1 May 2015|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518114508/http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/newspaper/home-news/muslim-councillor-wins-european-diversity-award/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Brooke|first=Mike|url=http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/politics/east_end_housing_cabinet_member_rabina_wins_european_diversity_award_1_3796687|title=East End housing cabinet member Rabina wins European Diversity award|location=London|work=East London Advertiser|date=6 October 2014|access-date=1 May 2015|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923232931/http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/politics/east_end_housing_cabinet_member_rabina_wins_european_diversity_award_1_3796687|url-status=dead}}

Khan is a Muslim and speaks Bengali. She lives in Whitechapel, London with her husband, Aminur, three children, and mother-in-law. In 2009, Khan's father died.

• British Bangladeshi
• List of British Bangladeshis
• List of English writers
• List of Muslim writers and poets
• List of ethnic minority politicians in the United Kingdom

{{Reflist}}

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• [https://www.towerhamletslibdems.org.uk/councillor_rabina_khan Party web page]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140626085010/http://www.rabinakhan.com/ Rabina Khan author website] (archived on 26 June 2014)
• {{Twitter}}
• [https://www.theguardian.com/profile/rabina-khan Rabina Khan] on guardian.com
• [http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/rabina-khan/ Rabina Khan] on The Huffington Post
• [http://democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=1372 Rabina Khan] on Tower Hamlets Council
• [http://www.mbalit.co.uk/author/510 Rabina Khan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203040222/http://www.mbalit.co.uk/author/510 |date=3 December 2013 }} on MBA Literary Agents

{{col-2}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20151001185224/http://www.authortrek.com/rainbow_hands_page.html Rainbow Hands] on authortrek.com
• [http://www.monsoonpress.co.uk/ Monsoon Press website]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004320/http://www.asiansinmedia.org/news/article.php/publishing/1737 Book week: Profile – Rabina Khan]}}. Asians in Media. 14 September 2007
• Khan, Rabina. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2008/03/15/home_poems_feature.shtml 'Home is more than a postcode']. BBC News. 17 March 2008
• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nbq6b Rabina Khan: Redefining Multiculturalism]. BBC Radio 4. 17 October 2012

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Category:1972 births

Category:Living people

Category:Bangladeshi Muslims

Category:British Muslims

Category:Bangladeshi emigrants to England

Category:British people of Bangladeshi descent

Category:Bangladeshi women writers

Category:Bangladeshi writers

Category:British women novelists

Category:British women dramatists and playwrights

Category:British women screenwriters

Category:Muslim writers

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Category:Independent politicians in England

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Category:Liberal Democrats (UK) councillors

Category:Tower Hamlets First politicians

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Category:People from Sylhet Division

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Category:People from Whitechapel