Shamima Begum is from the United Kingdom, where she was born and raised in East London. She is of Bangladeshi heritage, but in 2019, the UK Home Office stripped her of her British citizenship on national security grounds after she traveled to Syria to join ISIS at age 15.
Background. Begum was born in London to Bangladeshi Muslim immigrant parents. She was raised in the Bethnal Green area of Tower Hamlets in East London, where she received her secondary education at the Bethnal Green Academy.
Islamic State's self-styled caliphate effectively collapsed in January 2019 after a series of military defeats. The following month, Begum was taken to the Al-Roj detention camp in northeastern Syria, where it's believed she remains.
She was a citizen of Bangladesh, but only in the most technical sense. She had provisional citizenship until she was 21, when it would lapse unless she took it up. This was because her parents were born there. But she has never been to Bangladesh.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid stripped Begum of her British citizenship in 2019, prompting her to launch a legal and PR campaign in a bid to have the decision reversed. As she continues to fight her case, Begum is currently residing at the al-Roj refugee camp in the city of Al Hasakah, northern Syria.
Shamima Begum interview: The moment IS bride learns she's lost UK citizenship | ITV News
Why is Begum so popular?
Overall, the name Begum carries a rich history rooted in Turkish nobility and royalty. Its association with princesses and influential women of the Ottoman Empire has contributed to its status as a respected and cherished name in diverse communities today.
Yes, British citizenship can be revoked by the Home Secretary, primarily on grounds of national security (if it's "conducive to the public good") or if it was obtained through fraud, false representation, or concealing important facts, under Section 40 of the British Nationality Act 1981. This power is used for serious threats like terrorism or serious criminality, but those born British with no other nationality generally cannot be stripped of citizenship, while naturalized citizens can, even if it leaves them stateless.
Shamima Begum has lost a series of legal challenges aimed at overturning the government's decision to remove her British citizenship. Ms Begum, now 24, left the country as a teenager to join the Islamic State group in Syria and is barred from returning to the UK.
What is my nationality if I was born in England but I am Pakistani?
Although Pakistan gained independence in 1947 and Pakistanis no longer hold British nationality, they remain Commonwealth citizens under British law. When residing in the United Kingdom, Pakistani citizens are eligible to vote in UK elections and serve in public office there.
Begum (also Begüm, Bagum, Begom, Begam, Baigum or Beygum) is an honorific title from Central and South Asia, often used by leading women in society, including royals, aristocrats, first ladies and prime ministers. It is the feminine equivalent of the title baig or bey, which in Turkic languages means "higher official".
For people who have naturalised as British, citizenship deprivation is permitted even if it would leave them stateless (that is, without the citizenship of any country). Someone who was born British and has no other nationality cannot be deprived of their citizenship in any circumstances.
Bhopal, The City of Begums: Between 1819 and 1926, four brave women ruled over the princely state of Bhopal. These were Kudsia Begum, Sikander Begum, Shah Jahan Begum and Sultan Jahan Begum. Despite opposition from powerful male claimants, the Begums stood firm and developed the state.
Pakistan recognises dual citizenship. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Pakistani citizen. To find out if you're eligible for Pakistani citizenship: read guidance on citizenship of Pakistan.
Birthright citizenship was removed in the UK in 1983 through the Nationality Act in 1981. The motivations of Margaret Thatcher, then Conservative prime minister, had undoubted xenophobic undertones, echoing of Enoch Powell's infamous Rivers of Blood speech in 1968.
London has the largest Pakistani population in the UK by total numbers, with significant communities also in Birmingham, Bradford (often called "Bradistan"), and Manchester, though Bradford and other cities have a higher percentage of Pakistanis in their overall population. Greater London has the highest absolute number (over 290,000 in 2021), followed by Birmingham and then Bradford.
Pakistanis can get citizenship in 21 countries at a time without any restrictions from the government. Pakistanis can get multiple citizenship if they choose the countries mentioned in the laws. Pakistani people must fulfill the embassy's requirements to obtain dual or various nationalities from other countries.
00:51 23 February 2024. Begum, who is now 24 years old, still lives in the al-Roj detention camp in north-eastern Syria, where she will probably remain for the foreseeable future as she is effectively stateless.
Will I lose my British citizenship if I leave the UK?
No, simply living abroad doesn't make you lose British citizenship, but you can lose it in specific, serious situations like fraud in obtaining it or if you're a dual national acting against UK interests (terrorism, serious crime) and the government deprives you of citizenship, which is rare and requires a deprivation order. For naturalized citizens, extended absences from the UK might affect future citizenship applications if they breach time limits, but your existing citizenship is secure unless you renounce it or it's removed under specific laws.
When the decision was made, in 2019, Ms Begum was 19. She was a citizen of Bangladesh, but only in the most technical sense. She had provisional citizenship until she was 21, when it would lapse unless she took it up. This was because her parents were born there.
What are the benefits of having a British passport?
Holding a British passport is not only about global travel it also cements your rights within the UK. It grants full residency rights, unrestricted work opportunities, access to healthcare and education, and the ability to participate in civic life.
Citizenship or ILR – If you have secured your ILR status or submitted your nationality application, getting a divorce or separating is unlikely to affect your immigration status, and you will not be required to the leave the UK.
