Shada Islam

Shada Islam is a Brussels-based commentator on Asia and on EU affairs. She is a Belgian citizen.

Early life Islam was born in Lahore in Pakistan. She moved to Brussels as a student.

Career Journalism After graduating Islam joined the Far Eastern Economic Review, where she was a Europe correspondent for more than 20 years. In February 2022, Islam took the position of editor of the EUobserver magazine publication.

Research and academia In 2007, Islam joined the European Policy Centre think tank in Brussels.

Islam is a visiting professor at the Natolin campus of the College of Europe. She is also a fellow at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Islam called out the complacency of the European Union with Viktor Orbán’s undemocratic tendencies, which undermines the credibility of Europe on the international stage.

Brussels So White commentator Islam repeatedly expressed concerned about the lack of ethnic diversity in the EU policy making circles. Together with James Kanter, Islam launched a series dedicated to the issue of Brussels So White on the EU Scream podcast in 2022. She also raised the alarm about the far-right influence on the European institutions, when in comes to the treatment of Muslims and minorities.

Awards Islam received the Women of Europe Awards 2023 by European Movement International in the category Woman in Media.

Islam received the 2023 Ernest Udina Award for a European Trajectory from the European Journalist Association in Catalonia.