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Durdana Ansari

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Durdana Ansari (born 1 March 1960), Order of the British Empire (OBE),[1] Honorary Commander of the Royal Navy,[2] is a British entrepreneur, public speaker and activist for female empowerment.[3] She is a former charity director, journalist, presenter and producer at the BBC World Service.[4] She has interviewed politicians, Kashmir earthquake victims, Afghan refugees, Bollywood and Pakistani actors, artists, film directors and poets, and received an Order of the British Empire in 2012 for creating economic development programmes for Muslim women.[5][1] She serves as a Brand Ambassador to Mirpur University of Science & Technology (MUST), the SWAT Relief Initiative (SRI), and as a trustee for ‘Quest for Education’ (QFE).[6][7]

Early Life

Durdana Ansari was born in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, but grew up in Islamabad. She received her degree in media and journalism from Birkbeck University.[3]

Career

Royal Navy (2018 – present)

Durdana was appointed Hon Lt Cdr in 2018 and promoted in 2019 to Hon Cdr Royal Navy.[8] She currently works as an adviser to the Royal Navy, holds community events nationwide for young individuals between the ages of 18 to 35 to meet Royal Navy officers and recruitment officials to learn about careers in the Royal Navy, and works with Community leaders, local councillors, borough mayors, academics, teachers, and parents of young individuals who have shown an interest in careers with the Royal Navy.[8] Durdana was also appointed as an instructor by the Royal Navy based on her experience with British society and BAME communities.[8]

The Pearl Education Foundation (2013-16)

Ansari established The Pearl Foundation to teach functional spoken English, reading, writing and computer skills to British-Muslim women, as well as integrate these women into wider society by building self-confidence and enhancing quality of life[9]. Her work with The Pearl Education Foundation and the Ethnic Minorities Foundation led to the recruitment of approximately 9,000 students and 700 volunteers.[9]

Ethnic Minorities Foundation (2006 – 2013)

Durdana led a small program to teach Muslim women the importance of learning English and IT skills.[10] Her work at the Ethnic Minorities Foundation was recognized by the Queen with the award of an Order of the British Empire.[11]

BBC World Service Radio (1985– 2006)

Durdana spent 22 years producing, directing, and interviewing prominent personalities for the BBC World Service, the largest international broadcaster in the world, owned and operated by the BBC.[5]

BBC Programmess included the following:

  • Asian Network (Urdu) (2004-2006)[12]
  • The World Today (2001-2006)[13]
  • Outlook (2001-2002)[14]
  • Meridian (1998-2000)[15]
  • English Teaching Programme (1998-2000)[16]
  • BBC Urdu Service (1985-1998)[17]

ARY Digital & PTV Prime (1998-2004)

Durdana produced, directed and presented a bilingual Sunday Brunch Show for the British-Pakistani channel that was broadcasted globally. Topics included current affairs, arts, drama, TV, film and interviews with newsworthy personalities.

Personal Life

Durdana has four children, 2 boys and 2 girls. Her first child, Amina Art Ansari, is a painter with paintings of the British royal family hanging in Windsor Castle.[18][19]

Awards and Honors

  • 2012 Order of the British Empire (OBE)[20]
  • 2018 Honorary Commander Royal Navy[3]

Charity

In addition to the foundations she has contributed to or started, she has participated in the Imran Khan Cancer Hospital, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Islamic Relief, Helping Hands and various other British-based charities.[21]

  1. ^ a b "New Year honours list: OBEs". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  2. ^ Din, Naya. "Meet the British Royal Navy's first Muslim honourary commander". SAMAA. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Durdana Ansari Appointed As First Muslim Commander In British Royal Navy". UK44. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  4. ^ Farooq, Usman. "The Pakistan Achievement Awards, UK and Europe, 2014". eBuzz Today. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  5. ^ a b London, My. "Journalist made an OBE for services to Muslim women". My London News. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  6. ^ "Quest for Education Board of Trustees". Quest for Education. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Board Members". SWAT Relief Initiative. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  8. ^ a b c "Navy News September 2018". Newspaper of the Royal Navy. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  9. ^ a b Usman, Maryam. "Charity starts Pakistan operations". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  10. ^ Salman, Peerzada. "Tribute paid to seasoned journalist". Dawn. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  11. ^ Masood, Tooba. "Pakistani journalist: Durdana Ansari, OBE, takes time out for Karachi over a cup of tea". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  12. ^ "BBC Asian Network". BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  13. ^ "BBC The World Today". BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  14. ^ "BBC Outlook". BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  15. ^ "BBC Meridian". BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  16. ^ "BBC Teaching English". BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  17. ^ "BBC Urdu Service". BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  18. ^ Yawari, Musa. "I take out anger and sadness through art". BBC. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  19. ^ "British Pakistani Artist Amna Ansari maker her mark in international arena". Times of Islamabad. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  20. ^ Mirza, Qaiser. "Durdana Ansari, recipient of OBE (Most Excellence Order of British Empire)". Siasat Pakistan. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  21. ^ "Durdana Ansari: Changing face". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
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