Shahida Rahman

Author of historical fiction, writer and speaker, focusing on South Asian history such as Lascars and Indian Ayahs.

Shahida was born and raised in Cambridge, UK. Her late father, Abdul Karim moved to Cambridge from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1957 and her mother arrived in 1964.

Shahida writes historical fiction, non-fiction and children’s stories, raising awareness of South Asian history, culture and heritage.

Lascar (2nd edition) published by Perfect Publishers, 2021, (the first edition was previously published by Indigo Dreams Publishing, 2012), is a work of historical fiction inspired by a paternal ancestor, a lascar (seaman). The highly-acclaimed novel revives the story of these unsung heroes and draws attention to their plight, educating people through the use of fictional characters.

She has contributed widely to print and online publications, including Best of British, The Great War and the Feminist and Women’s Studies Association and has blogged for the Huffington Post UK as well as to BBC Radio. She has won numerous civic and cultural awards for her work.

Her second historical novel 'An Ayah's Choice' was published in 2022.  It tells the story of a young Indian Ayah (nanny) who seeks a new life for herself in Britain in the midst of the suffragette movement.

Shahida is a trustee of the Karim Foundation which aims to relieve poverty by providing food and support with domestic costs for those in financial hardship.

She is also a trustee of Cambridge Central Mosque; Europe's first eco-mosque. Shahida is also an advisor to the trustees of the Museum of Cambridge.

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