Rohingya activist nominated for US award

Sharifah Shakirah, who helps improve the lives of Rohingya women in Malaysia, has been nominated as Malaysia's candidate for the US Department of State's International Women of Courage award, reports Star Online from Petaling Jaya. In a statement, the US embassy said US Ambassador Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir will host a reception at the ambassador’s official residence on Wednesday (March 13) in conjunction with International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, which is celebrated every March in the United States.

Sharifah, 24, founded the Rohingya Women’s Development Network (RWDN), the first Rohingya women’s group in Malaysia, in December 2016.

Global activist group Free Rohingya Coalition, on its website, said Sharifah was born in Buthidaung Township in Arakan state, Myanmar. She fled Myanmar along with her family to Malaysia when she was six-years-old to reunite with her father, who was already in the country.

Rohingya activist nominated for US award

Sharifah Shakirah, who helps improve the lives of Rohingya women in Malaysia, has been nominated as Malaysias candidate for the US Department of States International Women of Courage award, reports Star Online from Petaling Jaya. In a statement, the US embassy said US Ambassador Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir will host a reception at the ambassadors official residence on Wednesday (March 13) in conjunction with International Womens Day and Womens History Month, which is celebrated every March in the United States. Sharifah, 24, founded the Rohingya Womens Development Network (RWDN), the first Rohingya womens group in Malaysia, in December 2016. Global activist group Free Rohingya Coalition, on its website, said Sharifah was born in Buthidaung Township in Arakan state, Myanmar. She fled Myanmar along with her family to Malaysia when she was six-years-old to reunite with her father, who was already in the country.