Rana Abdelhamid

Rana Abdelhamid
Born	(1993-05-06) May 6, 1993 Queens, New York City, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Activist, political figure
Years active	2010–present
Known for	Founder of Hijabis of New York and Malikah

Rana Abdelhamid (Arabic: رنا عبد الحميد; born May 6, 1993) is an American activist and political figure based in Queens, New York City. She established Hijabis of New York and Malikah, organizations dedicated to advocating for Muslim women’s empowerment through self-defense education and activism.

Early life and education

Of Egyptian heritage, Abdelhamid was raised in New York alongside three siblings. She trained in Shotokan karate, earned a black belt in Tai Chi karate, and provided self-defense instruction to young girls as a response to racially motivated violence.

Abdelhamid attended Middlebury College as a Posse Foundation Scholar, where she obtained a B.A. in international politics and economics. During her time there, she co-founded a chapter of Amnesty International USA. Following college, she was awarded a Harry S. Truman Scholarship and pursued a master’s degree in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

She served as the youngest board member for Amnesty International USA over six years. Her accolades include the United Nations Association Leo Nevas Human Rights Youth Award (2015), recognition as a Running Start Rising Political Star, inclusion on the Forbes 30 under 30 list, an Echoing Green Fellowship, and receipt of the 2025 David Prize.

Career

Since 2014, Abdelhamid has been professionally affiliated with Google.

Malikah (formerly Women's Initiative for Self Empowerment)

At age sixteen, after experiencing an assault where someone attempted to remove her headscarf, Abdelhamid proposed to her imam at the Queens Community Centre the idea of women-led self-defense classes for women. Although initially declined, she eventually launched the inaugural session of the Women's Initiative for Self Empowerment (WISE) in 2010.

WISE grew to operate nationwide across the United States and expanded internationally with branches in Edinburgh, Dublin, and Madrid. The program also created Mentee Muslimah, a summer camp based in New York. Abdelhamid views WISE as integral to her personal "healing process" and has emphasized that "hijab grabs" are frequently experienced by Muslim women.

The organization later transformed into Malikah, an international network committed to fostering safety and empowerment within communities. Malikah’s current projects encompass financial literacy education, food distribution programs, bootcamps, and workshops conducted in schools, religious centers, and community groups.

Hijabis of New York

In 2014, Abdelhamid initiated "Hijabis of New York," a social media campaign aimed at challenging stereotypes by portraying diverse stories of Muslim women who wear hijabs. Hosted on Facebook, it features interviews accompanied by professional photography conducted by Abdelhamid herself. In 2017, she partnered with Maryam Aziz from WISE, Robie Flores, and Alison Withers to develop a Self-Defense Starter Kit that provides online educational materials and videos tailored for Muslim women.

Assembly Bill A6219B

Abdelhamid has been a vocal advocate for the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) population within New York State. Through Malikah, she championed the passage of the MENA Bill (S6584C/A6219B), which mandates that New York State agencies categorize MENA individuals separately from the White demographic on official records. Enacted by Governor Kathy Hochul in December 2024, this legislation enhances demographic precision, addresses undercounting issues, and facilitates improved access to services. Abdelhamid contributed through grassroots canvassing efforts, coalition formation, and public outreach to elevate MENA community representation and promote equitable state program inclusion.

Publications

Abdelhamid’s first book, Get Home Safe: A Guide to Self-Defense and Building Our Collective Power, is scheduled for publication on February 24, 2026. Drawing from her background as a Muslim woman and self-defense coach, the book provides insights into self-protection and collective empowerment, highlighting aspects of physical, economic, and political security.

2022 U.S. House campaign

On April 14, 2021, Abdelhamid declared her intention to run in the 2022 U.S. House race for New York's 12th congressional district, challenging the sitting representative Carolyn Maloney. Her campaign received support from progressive organizations such as Justice Democrats and New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. Abdelhamid openly criticized Maloney’s decision to wear a burqa as a symbol of Afghan women’s oppression, labeling it an "Islamophobic narrative" that has been exploited to justify U.S. military interventions and rejecting the notion that these women require "saving."

She later withdrew her candidacy after redistricting altered district boundaries, excluding her community. Abdelhamid remarked that the redrawing was “reminiscent of an ongoing legacy of noninclusive gerrymandering robbing communities like mine of representation.”

2026 District Assembly campaign

Abdelhamid has officially entered the race for the New York's 36th State Assembly district, which encompasses western Queens neighborhoods including Astoria. The position will become available on January 1, 2026, following the departure of current officeholder and mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who has held the seat since 2020. Her campaign focuses on key issues such as affordable housing, universal childcare, immigrant rights, and enhancing public safety.

Her platform advocates for comprehensive tenant protections at the state level, increased funding for NYCHA, establishment of community land trusts, and expanded programs targeting youth development and mental health services. Abdelhamid also champions legislation aimed at immigrants’ rights like New York for All and the MELT Act, reflecting her ongoing work with asylum seekers and migrant populations.

Although she is affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the Queens chapter of DSA has endorsed Diana Moreno, a former co-chair, for this Assembly seat. Additionally, Mary Jobaida—another DSA member and 2020 candidate for New York's 37th State Assembly district—has also filed to run.

Published works

• Get Home Safe: A Guide to Self-Defense and Building Our Collective Power. Author (Book, 2026).

External links

• Abdelhamid's nonprofit organization
• Get Home Safe: A Guide to Self-Defense and Building Our Collective Power by Rana Abdelhamid