In May 2022, while fasting for Ramadan, Akke Rahman became the first British Muslim to summit Mount Everest. He reached the world’s highest peak just three years after his first ever mountain climb at Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and helped to raise over £240,000 for charity.
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“I want people to know that us minorities in Britain can achieve anything if we put our mind to it. I'm not suggesting everyone should climb Everest but everyone has their mountain to climb, especially the ones in their heads.”
Akke Rahman was born in 1982 in Jagannathpur, Bangladesh and moved to the UK at the age of one. His early life was decorated with athletic achievements, holding school and county records in sprinting and long jump. But his head was always in the mountains – he recalls staying up late to watch documentaries on Everest, and going down YouTube rabbit holes as he researched the world’s highest peaks.
A commited father and full-time business owner, It wasn’t until 2019 that Akke got a taste of mountaineering when he completed Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) for the first time. From there, he kept climbing. Next up was Kilimajaro, then Mont Blanc, then Elbrus.
Taking each one in his stride he set his sights on Everest. Driven by a desire to inspire his children and other minority communities within the UK, he reached the world’s highest summit on the 15th of May 2022.
“I do hope that my accomplishment paves the way for more British Muslims to attempt Everest. I am proof that there are no barriers.”
The Documentary.
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