Shamima Begum Parents: Meet Mother Asma Begum And Father Ahmed Ali | Family Explored
Shamima Begum is a British-born woman who left her home in London at the age of 15 to join the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria. She is now 24 years old and living in a detention camp in Syria, after losing her British citizenship and her three children. But who are her parents and what do they think of her actions and situation? Here is what we know about them.
Her parents are immigrants from Bangladesh
Shamima Begum’s parents are Asma Begum and Ahmed Ali, who are originally from Bangladesh. They moved to the UK in the 1990s and settled in Bethnal Green, east London, where they raised their four children: Shamima, her two sisters and her brother. They are Muslims and belong to the Bangladeshi community in the UK.
According to some reports, Begum’s parents also hold Bangladeshi citizenship, which was one of the reasons why the former Home Secretary Sajid Javid decided to revoke her British citizenship in 2019, arguing that she was not stateless and could apply for citizenship in Bangladesh. However, the Bangladeshi authorities have denied that Shamima is a Bangladeshi citizen and have refused to accept her or offer her any assistance.
Family and Other Details of Shamima Begum
| Name | Shamima Begum |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 25 August 1999 |
| Place of birth | England, UK |
| Nationality | British (revoked) |
| Parents | Asma Begum and Ahmed Ali |
| Siblings | Two sisters and one brother |
| Religion | Islam |
| Education | Bethnal Green Academy |
| Occupation | Former IS member |
| Marital status | Married to Yago Riedijk |
| Children | Three (deceased) |
| Current location | Al-Roj detention camp, Syria |
| Legal status | Stateless and appealing against citizenship revocation |
| Links | Instagram- #shamimabegummemes Homepage- Newsunzip |
Her parents were shocked and devastated by her decision to join IS
Shamima Begum’s parents were unaware of her plans to travel to Syria with two of her school friends, Amira Abase and Kadiza Sultana, in February 2015. They only found out when they received a letter from the police informing them that their daughter had boarded a flight to Turkey and was believed to have crossed the border into Syria.
Begum’s parents were shocked and devastated by her decision to join IS, which they described as a “mistake” and a “wrong choice”. They appealed to her to come back home and said they still loved her and missed her. They also expressed their sorrow and regret for the victims of IS and the people who suffered because of their daughter’s actions.
Her mother, Asma Begum, said in a statement read at an appeal hearing against the government’s decision to strip her daughter of her citizenship in 2022: “When she left home in 2015, our worlds fell apart. Her drawers are still full, her perfume, pens and jewellery, her clothes are still there. Her pyjamas are folded neatly. Her school blazer is still hanging on the door in the front room, just as it was when she left.”
Begum’s father, Ahmed Ali, who lives in Bangladesh, also apologized to the British public for his daughter’s decision to join IS and said he hoped she would be given a second chance. He said in an interview in 2019: “She was underage at that time, she couldn’t understand anything. She was brainwashed. She should be allowed to return, she belongs to this country. She belongs to England. My daughter was a little child, she made a mistake, she didn’t realise it.”
Shamima Begum’s parents have not been able to contact her or see her since she left
Shamima Begum’s parents have not been able to contact her or see her since she left the UK in 2015. They have only seen her in media interviews and reports, where she has given conflicting accounts of her life in Syria and her views on IS. They have also learned of the tragic deaths of her three children, who were born in Syria and died of illness or malnutrition.
Begum’s parents have said they want to see their daughter again and hug her, but they have also acknowledged that she may face legal consequences for her actions and that she may not want to return to the UK. They have said they respect the British law and the British government’s decision, but they have also appealed for mercy and compassion for their daughter.
Her parents have also faced harassment and threats from some members of the public who blame them for their daughter’s actions and accuse them of being terrorists or sympathizers. They have said they feel isolated and scared and that they have received little support from the authorities or the community.
Her parents are still waiting for the outcome of her legal battle to regain her citizenship
Shamima Begum’s parents are still waiting for the outcome of her legal battle to regain her British citizenship, which has been going on for more than two years. She has challenged the government’s decision to revoke her citizenship on the grounds that it was unlawful, unfair and breached her human rights. She has also argued that she is at risk of torture or death if she is sent to Bangladesh or Iraq, where she faces terrorism charges.
Begum’s legal team has claimed that she was a victim of grooming and radicalization by IS and that she poses no threat to the UK. They have also said that she has renounced IS and regrets her decision to join them. They have asked for her to be allowed to return to the UK to face justice and rehabilitation.
However, the government has maintained that Begum’s citizenship was lawfully revoked and that she is a security risk to the UK. They have also said that she has shown no remorse or regret for her actions and that she still supports IS. They have argued that she can apply for citizenship in Bangladesh or another country and that she is not entitled to return to the UK.
The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) has ruled in favour of the government in 2020, finding that Shamima’s citizenship was lawfully revoked and that she was not stateless. However, the Court of Appeal has overturned that decision in 2021, finding that Begum should be allowed to return to the UK to pursue her appeal, as she could not effectively do so from Syria. The Supreme Court has then reversed that decision in 2021, finding that her right to a fair hearing did not outweigh the national security concerns and that she should remain in Syria until her appeal is resolved.
The legal battle is still ongoing, as Shamima Begum’s lawyers have applied for permission to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), claiming that her human rights have been violated by the UK. The ECHR has not yet decided whether to accept the case or not.
Her parents are hoping for a resolution and a reunion with their daughter
Shamima Begum’s parents are hoping for a resolution and a reunion with their daughter, who they have not seen for almost nine years. They are also hoping for a closure and a peace of mind, after enduring years of pain and uncertainty. They are still holding on to their love and hope for their daughter, despite the challenges and difficulties they have faced.
Begum’s parents are also hoping for a better understanding and a more compassionate attitude from the public and the media, who have often vilified and demonized them and their daughter. They are hoping for a more balanced and nuanced coverage of their daughter’s case, which takes into account the complex and multifaceted factors that led to her decision to join IS and the consequences of that decision.
Shamima’s parents are also hoping for a more effective and proactive response from the authorities and the community, who have failed to prevent and address the issue of radicalization and extremism among young people. They are hoping for more support and guidance for the families and the victims of IS, who have suffered immensely and who need help and healing.
Shamima Begum’s parents are still waiting for the outcome of her legal battle to regain her citizenship, which may take years to conclude. They are still waiting for the chance to see their daughter again and to hug her, which may never happen. They are still waiting for the answers and the justice they deserve, which may never come.
