Randa Abdel-Fattah facts for kids

Randa Abdel-Fattah (Arabic: رندة عبد الفتاح) is an Australian writer. She writes both fiction and non-fiction books. Born in 1979, Randa is a strong supporter of human rights.

Much of her writing explores what it means to be a Muslim in Australia. Her first novel, Does My Head Look Big in This?, came out in 2005. Another important book, Coming of Age in the War on Terror, was published in 2021.

Early Life and Education

Randa Abdel-Fattah was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, in 1979. Her family background is Palestinian and Egyptian. She grew up in Melbourne, Victoria.

She went to a Catholic primary school. Later, she attended King Khalid Islamic College. Randa wrote her first "novel" when she was in sixth grade. It was inspired by Roald Dahl's book Matilda. She wrote the first draft of Does My Head Look Big in This? when she was about 18 years old.

Randa studied Arts and Law at the University of Melbourne. During her studies, she worked for the Islamic Council of Victoria. This job allowed her to write for newspapers. She also talked with media groups about how Muslims and Islam were shown in the news. Later, she earned her PhD. Her research focused on Islamophobia, which is unfair treatment or fear of Islam and Muslims.

Career as a Writer

Randa Abdel-Fattah has appeared on several Australian TV shows. These include Insight (SBS) and Q & A (ABC TV).

She describes herself as a feminist. This means she believes in equal rights for women. She has written about the importance of women being able to choose what they wear. She believes that discussions about Muslim women should focus on more than just their clothing.

Awards and Recognition

Randa Abdel-Fattah's books have received many awards and nominations.

Her book Coming of Age in the War on Terror was recognized in 2022. It was a finalist for the Victorian Premier's Prize for Nonfiction. It was also a finalist for the Multicultural NSW Award at the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards. The book was also longlisted for the Stella Prize.

In 2023, her book 11 Words for Love was a finalist for the Children's Award. This award is part of the Prime Minister's Literary Awards.

Other Activities

Randa Abdel-Fattah is a strong supporter of human rights. In 1998, she was involved in politics. She stood as a candidate for the Unity Party. The party's slogan was "Say No to Pauline Hanson".

She is also interested in bringing different faiths together. She has been part of various groups that promote understanding between religions. Randa has volunteered her time with groups that help people. These include the Australian Arabic council and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. She has also been a member of committees for human rights.

Privacy Laws and Online Information

In 2024, there was a situation involving the sharing of private online information. This event led to important discussions about privacy. In response, new laws were created to protect people's personal information online. The Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 became law on December 10, 2024. This act added new rules to the federal Criminal Code Act of 1995. It introduced penalties for sharing private information without permission.

Personal Life

Randa Abdel-Fattah lives in Sydney. She lives there with her husband and their four children.

Books by Randa Abdel-Fattah

• Does My Head Look Big in This? (2005)
• Ten Things I Hate About Me (2006)
• Where The Streets Had A Name (2008)
• Noah's Law (2010)
• The Friendship Matchmaker (2011)
• The Friendship Matchmaker Goes Undercover (2012)
• No ... in the City (2012)
• The Lines We Cross (2016)
• When Mina Met Michael (2016)
• "Australian Muslim Voices on Islamophobia, Race and the 'War on Terror'" (Bibliography, Meanjin Quarterly, 2019)
• Arab Australian Other: Stories on Race and Identity, co-editor with Sara Saleh (2019)
• Coming of Age in the War on Terror (2021)
• Maku (children's fiction, co-authored with Meyne Wyatt, 2022)
• 11 Words for Love (illustrated by Maxine Beneba Clarke, 2022)