Rekha Waheed

Rekha Waheed
Born Rekha Waheed
(1975-06-19) 19 June 1975
Shepherd's Bush, London, England
Occupation Novelist, writer
Language English
Nationality British
Ethnicity Bengali
Education MSc Economic Development
Alma mater School of Oriental and African Studies
Subject Arranged marriage in the Indian subcontinent, Bengali wedding, British Bangladeshi, British Asian women
Years active 2005–present

Rekha Waheed Rahman (Bengali: রেখা ওয়াহিদ রহমান; née Waheed; born 19 June 1975) is an English novelist and writer of Bangladeshi descent. She has written four novels including 2004's The A-Z Guide to Arranged Marriage, and 2010's Saris and the City and My Bollywood Wedding.

Early life

Waheed was born in Shepherd's Bush, London, England to parents of Bangladeshi origin. She completed her MSc in Economic Development at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and during her time there she held the position of treasurer of the Islamic Society.[1][2]

Whilst pursuing her passion for writing she travelled the world as a corporate consultant. However, she soon caught the attention of a literary agent delivering public readings at the Harrow Writers' club.[1][2]

Career

In October 2005, Waheed's debut novel The A-Z Guide to Arranged Marriage was published by Monsoon Press.[3][4] In April 2010, her second novel Saris and the City was published by Little Black Dress,[5][6] followed by her third novel Adam Akbar – Master of Poverty by Perfect Publishers in June 2010,[7] and then her fourth novel My Bollywood Wedding by Little Black Dress in December 2010.[8][9] Waheed's natural writing style is first-person narrative.[10] Her distinct style has been described as "bridging the gap between old world traditions with new world savvy".[1][2]

In June 2005, Waheed co-founded Monsoon Press Publisher with Rabina Khan.[11][12][13] Through Monsoon Press, she works with the Arts Council and Penguin to raise the profile of British Ethnic and Muslim literature.[1][2] She has previously worked as a columnist for Bangla Mirror[14] and sat on the board of Women in Publishing. In addition, she has worked voluntarily as a treasurer for a Bengali community organisation. She is currently represented by MBA Literary Agency.[1][2]

In 2006, Waheed read at the London Literacy Event. In 2007, she read at the Spitalfields Literacy Event. In 2006, she was cited by Asian Woman magazine as one of the "Faces to Watch" and one of the fastest rising British Asians in media. She is regular guest on BBC Asian Network,[14] women's programmes,[15] and literary and social events to debate social issues affecting British Asians in the west.[13]

Personal life

Waheed is a Muslim.[10]

Novels

Year Title Publisher ISBN
2005 The A-Z Guide to Arranged Marriage Monsoon Press 978-0755215003
2010 Saris and the City Little Black Dress 978-0755356133
Adam Akbar – Master of Poverty Perfect Publishers Ltd 978-1905399505
My Bollywood Wedding Little Black Dress 978-0755356140

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Karim, Mohammed Abdul; Karim, Shahadoth (July 2008). British Bangladeshi Who's Who (PDF). British Bangla Media Group. p. 224. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Karim, Mohammed Abdul; Karim, Shahadoth (October 2009). British Bangladeshi Who's Who (PDF). British Bangla Media Group. p. 133. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "Rekha Waheed – The A-Z Guide to Arranged Marriage". Amazon.co.uk. 27 October 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  4. ↑ Rahman, Emdad (November 2005). "The book launch that bridged the diversity divide". CyberSylhet.com. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  5. ↑ "Saris and the City by Rekha Waheed". LBD News. 12 February 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  6. ↑ "Rekha Waheed – Saris and the City". Goodreads. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  7. ↑ "Master of Poverty". Amazon.co.uk. 5 June 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  8. ↑ Carr, Debs (28 October 2010). "LBD News – My Bollywood Wedding by Rekha Waheed". Novelicious.com. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  9. ↑ "My Bollywood Wedding". Amazon.co.uk. 9 December 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  10. 1 2 Shaikh, Farhana (8 February 2011). "Rekha Waheed". The Asian Writer. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  11. ↑ "'The veil should not be a barrier between women'". Abu Dhabi: The National. 29 August 2009. p. 4. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  12. ↑ "Book week: Profile – Rabina Khan". Asians in Media. 14 September 2007. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  13. 1 2 "Behind the Hijab". Silsila Productions. 27 October 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2011. Rekha Waheed
  14. 1 2 "Biography for Rekha Waheed". Authors OnLine. 27 October 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  15. ↑ "Rekha Waheed". Fantastic Fiction. 27 October 2007. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
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