Tasnim Nazeer, the first hijab-wearing anchor in Scotland, appeared on STV news on Thursday 30 July 2020 reporting on the lack of support for bereaved families in Scotland.
Nazeer, a journalist from London with Sri Lankan origins and a mother of five, had previously won the Rising Stars in Media Awards 2018 by FIPP the global trade association, and the Muslim News Awards for Excellence 2013 Ibn Battuta Award for excellence in media.
The 34 year old has written for a variety of media outlets such as The Huffington Post, Al Jazeera English, The Guardian, TRT World, BBC Radio 2 and many more.
I’ve been told that I just don’t have the proper look to appear on camera for certain stories, There have been occasions when it was suggested to me that someone else should appear on camera to do the report which is really confidence-sapping. Sometimes I’ve felt like giving up.
I’ve even been told I look ‘really glamorous’ without the hijab and would I consider taking it off. I’m really pleased that STV never even mentioned it, and allowed me to get on with the job.
Nazeer is the author of 4 books and will soon publish an academic one.
She wrote in a tweet:
