Shaniera Akram

Shaniera Akram (née Thompson; Urdu: شنیرا اکرم‎; born 1983) is an Australian social worker based in Pakistan. She is the wife of former cricketer Wasim Akram.[1]

Shaniera Akram
شنیرا اکرم
Born
Shaniera Thompson

(1983-03-20) March 20, 1983
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
NationalityAustralian
OccupationSocial worker
Years active2013–present
OrganizationThe Akram Foundation
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 2013)​
Children1

Background and personal life

Shaniera was born on 20 March 1983.[2] Hailing from the Melbourne suburb of Brighton,[3] she describes herself as a "typical Australian girl" who lived a normal life, and worked as a public relations consultant.[3][4] She received her early education from a private girls' school.[5] She was raised with three sisters, in a well-connected household which counted Sam Newman and Shane Warne as family friends.[3][4]

Shaniera met Wasim in 2011 at a dinner with mutual friends whilst he was visiting Melbourne for cricket commentating duties, but did not know who he was back then or admittedly have much interest in cricket;[3] Wasim explained: "I did tell her – "I’m kind of a big deal back home" – but that card didn’t work. I had to charm her. We exchanged numbers, texted and emailed, and whenever I was back here we would get together."[4] Shaniera says although the relationship was not romantic at first, and despite being from different countries and generations, the two enjoyed each other's company and were able to click.[4] According to Wasim, she showed him her city and introduced him to Australian culture, which he found very family-oriented, sports-based, and having an affinity for outdoor living – similar to his life in Pakistan.[4] He proposed marriage to Shaniera on a bended knee at her home.[6]

At the time, Wasim was coping with the passing away of his childhood love and first wife Huma (who died from multiple organ failure in 2009),[7] and was struggling in life – especially in raising his two children.[4] Talking about Huma, Shaniera mentions they've kept her memory alive through photos, planting a tree, observing her birthday and death anniversary, and through her children.[4] Shaniera married Wasim at a simple nikah ceremony in the summer of 2013 at his hometown Lahore, on 12 August.[4][7] They moved to Karachi thereafter, where they live near the beachfront area of Clifton.[4] The couple had their first daughter, Aiyla, on 27 December 2014.[7] As a mother, she picks and drops her daughter to school, and takes her to dance and judo classes.[4] She is also a step-mother to Wasim's two sons, Tahmoor (b. 1996) and Akbar (b. 2001), from his earlier marriage.[8] She acknowledges them as an important part of her life,[8] and has become a source of support and advice for both.[4][9][10][11]

Shaniera mentions that transitioning to her new life in Pakistan and adapting to the culture was challenging initially, but she found the local people warm and hospitable.[3][4] She had adopted Islam prior to her marriage,[6] learned to become accustomed to the various customs and traditions, and also improved her Urdu.[4][9] She has frequently appeared in YouTube videos with British-Pakistani television figure George Fulton, where the two explore Pakistani culture from the lens of two Westerners living in Karachi, in humorous ways.[12] On the question of where her loyalties lie when Australia faces Pakistan in cricket, she commented that although she was "born and bred an Australian" and loved her country, Pakistan played a big part of who she was today and that for the long haul, she was "with Pakistan all the way."[13][14]

Career

Shaniera started her career in fashion at the age of 21 and owned a clothing boutique.[15] Later, she switched to public relations (PR) and events as a consultant.[15] She has worked on major Australian fashion festivals, international events, clothing brand store openings, restaurants, and product launches.[15]

In 2020, she became an actor and is part of the cast of an upcoming Pakistani film, Money Back Guarantee, which is expected to release in the summer of 2020 on Eid-ul Fitr.[16]

Social work

Shaniera is actively involved in The Akram Foundation, engaging in various kinds of social work, community service, philanthropy projects[17] and charitable causes. She enjoys a popular public image, often appearing on television, print media and remaining under the attention of paparazzi,[3][4] which has led to her being referred to as the "national Bhabhi"[18][19][17] and "Aussie Princess" of Pakistan.[3] She has acquired a mass following on social media.[17] Her work has included supporting the victims of the 2016 Lahore suicide bombing,[3] collecting charity for hospitals, promoting health and fitness, raising environmental awareness,[20] speaking up about road safety, recycling and access to clean drinking water,[17] and working as an ambassador for The Fred Hollows Foundation in Pakistan which provides free treatment for the visually impaired.[4][21]

In 2019, Akram tweeted pictures showing the Clifton Beach in a state of neglect, with the water filthy from litter and the beachside replete with objects such as plastic bags, blood vials and syringes. Following her call to attention, the photos went viral and the beach was swiftly cleaned within one month.[4]

See also

References
  1. "'Life has changed for the better' - SHANIERA AKRAM | Cover Story - MAG THE WEEKLY". July 4, 2018. Archived from the original on July 4, 2018.
  2. "All Shaniera Akram wants for her birthday this year is a coronavirus cure". Dawn. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  3. Dennehy, Luke (19 August 2016). "Melbourne's Shaniera Akram wins the hearts of millions in Pakistan with her charity work". Herald Sun. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  4. Marshall, Konrad (27 March 2020). "Despite distance and differences, love led Shaniera to embrace a new life with Pakistan cricket star Wasim Akram". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  5. "Bits & Pieces on the life of Shaniera Akram". April 8, 2018.
  6. Koha, Nui Te (7 July 2013). "Pakistan cricket great Wasim Akram to marry Melbourne woman". Herald Sun. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  7. "Wasim and Shaniera Akram welcome baby girl". Dawn. 28 December 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  8. "Shaniera Akram steals hearts with a sweet birthday wish for her son Akbar". Samaa TV. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  9. "Wasim Akram marries Australian girlfriend". Dawn. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  10. "Proud parents Wasim and Shaniera Akram celebrate their son's university graduation". Dawn. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  11. "Wasim and Shaniera Akram beam with pride at son's college graduation". The Express Tribune. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  12. "Shaniera Akram's video recognizing vegetables in Urdu goes viral". The News. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  13. "Shaniera Akram may be Australian but she vows to 'be with Pakistan all the way'". The News. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  14. "Wasim's Aussie wife supporting Pakistan". The News International. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  15. "WASIM & SHANIERA ON LOVE, LIFE AND FAMILY". February 15, 2018.
  16. Shakeel, Madiha (February 14, 2020). "Shaniera Akram shares experience of her first upcoming film". Business Recorder.
  17. "Pakistanis have found a new hero and it's Shaniera Akram". Dawn. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  18. Fatima, Komal (15 March 2020). "Shaniera Akram is officially the national "Bhabhi" of Pakistan". BOL News. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  19. "Love being your bhabi, says Shaniera Akram". Samaa News. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  20. Murtaza, Syed M. (8 September 2017). "Shaniera Akram shuts down twitter troll, Pakistanis rally in support". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  21. "Shaniera Akram's Story". The Fred Hollows Foundation. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
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