SHEIKH RIFAN AHMED || শেখ রিফান আহমেদ
Editor’s Biography of Nagorik Bhabna

Sheikh Rifan Ahmed
Journalist & Editor, The Nagorik Bhabna
Born	1982 Khulna, Bangladesh
Ancestral Home	Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh
Education	Fatema High School, Khulna Zilla School, Govt. M.M. City College, Azam Khan (Govt.) Commerce College
Occupation	Journalist, Editor, Social Entrepreneur
Known For	Acting Editor of The Nagorik Bhabna
Spouse	Afroza Siddiqua (m. 2010)
Children	Rahnuma Ahmed (Daughter)

Sheikh Rifan Ahmed was born in Khulna, Bangladesh, in 1982. Although his ancestral home is in Brahmanbaria, he spent his childhood and early education in Khulna. He began his schooling at Fatema High School, completed his Secondary School Certificate from Khulna Zilla School and graduated from Azam Khan Government Commerce College.

Early Career and Journalism (1998–2013)

His interest in journalism developed during his student years, when he began writing for various newspapers and magazines. He entered professional journalism in 1998 and quickly established himself as a promising journalist. He worked with several leading newspapers in Khulna, including Daily Prabartan, founded by renowned journalist Syed Shafi, followed by Daily Janmavumi, Daily Purbanchal and Daily Probaha.

In 2003, with the encouragement of Daily Probaha Editor Khan Ashraful Islam and News Editor the late Abdullah Al Mamun, Sheikh Rifan Ahmed moved to Dhaka and joined Daily Sangbadpatra. Over the following years, he worked with distinction for several nationally recognized newspapers, including Daily News Line, Ajkaler Khabar, Amader Somoy, Prothom Alo, Jugantor, Samakal, Bangladesher Khabar, and Khola Kagoj.

Editorial Roles and Publications

In 2014, he became the Editor of the weekly magazine Notun Karmakhetro. Later that year, with approval from the Dhaka District Administration, he launched and edited the daily newspaper Manabkhabar, which quickly gained popularity among readers. Following the transfer of ownership of both publications, he shifted his focus to humanitarian and social initiatives.

Social Initiatives and Welfare

As the Managing Director of Dreams Touch and Nisarga Cottage, Sheikh Rifan Ahmed has been working to strengthen the welfare, protection, and professional security of grassroots journalists across Bangladesh. In support of this mission, he founded Nagorik Mart, an e-commerce platform whose profits are dedicated to the welfare of financially disadvantaged journalists. He is also the founder of the Shelter and Rehabilitation Foundation, a human rights organization committed to humanitarian service and social development.

Return to Mainstream Media

After a brief hiatus from journalism, Sheikh Rifan Ahmed returned to the profession in early 2020. Under the editorship and publication of Afroza Siddiqua, The Daily Nagorik Bhabna began its journey. Around the same time, he also served as Editor of Bijoy Bangladesh, published by Tepantar Group.

On 23 February 2022, Sheikh Rifan Ahmed assumed the position of Acting Editor of the national daily The Nagorik Bhabna, continuing his commitment to independent journalism, media development and public service.

Personal Life

In 2010, Sheikh Rifan Ahmed married Afroza Siddiqua, granddaughter of Khan Bahadur Shahudul Haque of Brahmanbaria and daughter of expatriate Zubair Azfar. They have one daughter, Rahnuma Ahmed.