Uproar

Sara Abou Rashed

Rowaida Abdelaziz is an award-winning journalist who focuses on civil rights and social justice issues. Currently, at HuffPost, Rowaida spearheads the coverage of Islamophobia and its intersection with politics, culture, and gender.
Her notable works exposing anti-Muslim policies have led to reunifying families and reopening hate crime cases. Fluent in Arabic, Rowaida also has written numerous stories on the Middle East and covered refugee communities from Syria, Yemen, and other parts of the Arab world. Outside of work, Rowaida finds immense joy gathering with loved ones over a delicious meal, particularly her favorite, stuffed grape leaves.

With a coffee in one hand and her phone in the other, Rowaida is usually over-caffeinated, tweeting too much and always looking for a good scoop.


Rowaida Abdelaziz is a national reporter who focuses on civil rights, immigration, and social justice issues. Currently, at HuffPost, Rowaida spearheads the coverage of Islamophobia and reports on the intersection of Muslim life within politics, culture, and gender. Fluent in Arabic, Rowaida also has written numerous stories on the Middle East and covered refugee communities from Syria, Yemen, and other parts of the Arab world.

Rowaida’s frustration with the one-dimensional portrayal of Muslim American communities in mainstream media fueled her journey to report and produce honest, nuanced coverage that was seldom found in mainstream media. A leading expert in her field, Rowaida knows firsthand the impact journalism has on marginalized communities and continues to lead the effort to achieve equity in mainstream media.

Her award-winning stories lead the nationwide effort to redefine the standards for Muslim-related reporting to ensure that the Muslim American narrative is one that accurately represents the diverse community that they are.

Rowaida’s reporting has been recognized internationally. In 2020, Rowaida won Best Digital Reporting from The Global Muslim Film Festival’s Ramadan 2020 Digital Media Awards. She was also a finalist for the Religion News Awards. In 2021, Rowaida was awarded the prestigious Journalists of Color Reporting Fellowship by the Investigative Reporters and Editors.
Rowaida also serves on the board of the Islamic Scholarship Fund and is a mentor with the Marie Colvin Network, mentoring aspiring journalism students and young professionals. Outside of work, Rowaida finds immense joy in a delicious meal. Whether it is cooking for family and friends or meeting up for a bite. Her favorite food is stuffed grape leaves.

Spoken Word, Poet, Storyteller

I wanted to be supported by and in community with fellow Muslim women who are also using their voices for good and becoming role models for young muslims everywhere. It’s very important for me as a speaker not only to be appreciated but to be understood and have my background recognized and well-considered. UPROAR is unique in providing exactly that.

Being empowered to speak up, to speak loud, proud, being unafraid to make noise and using my voice so it may echo for good causes in the world.

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