Mohammed-Khair El Badawi was a Sudanese journalist, broadcaster, political activist and author whose career spanned Sudan’s independence movement and several decades of broadcasting with the BBC Arabic Service. Before moving to Britain, he worked in Sudanese journalism, held editorial positions and became involved in political activity during the country’s struggle for self-government and independence.
Although he is also widely recognised as the father of Sudanese-British journalist Zeinab Badawi, his own professional and political experiences provide an important story. From his early employment with the Sudan Defence Force to newspaper editorships, Reuters and BBC broadcasting, he witnessed significant changes in Sudanese public life. He also recorded many of his experiences in his autobiography, Qitar Al-Umr.
Mohammed-Khair El Badawi was a Sudanese journalist, broadcaster, political activist and author, best known internationally as the father of BBC journalist Zeinab Badawi. He worked with the BBC Arabic Service from 1962 and became involved in Sudan’s political and journalistic life before and after independence. He also wrote books documenting Sudanese history and his own experiences. El Badawi died in London on 3 March 2016, and his remains were later buried in Sudan.
Who Was Mohammed-Khair El Badawi?
Mohammed-Khair El Badawi was a Sudanese journalist and broadcaster who became known for his involvement in national politics, newspaper journalism and BBC Arabic programming.
His professional career developed during an important period in Sudanese history. He participated in political activities connected with the independence movement, experienced imprisonment for his involvement in opposition to colonial-era political arrangements and later worked with organisations covering Sudanese affairs.
He joined the BBC Arabic Service in 1962 after relocating to London. His broadcasting work included the programmes People and Politics and Trade and Industry. He also wrote books documenting his experiences and his understanding of Sudanese political and social history.
His daughter, Zeinab Badawi, subsequently developed her own prominent broadcasting career in Britain. Her father is identified in profiles published by Arab News and the World Trade Organization as a former BBC Arabic journalist who had participated in Sudanese pre-independence politics.
Early Life and Family Background
Mohammed-Khair El Badawi was born around 1926 in Al-Qulai’a, a village in the Dar al-Ribatab region of Sudan. Some biographical accounts give his birth year as 1926–1927, so his exact birth date remains uncertain.
He was associated with both the Rubatab community and Omdurman, where he spent important periods of his life. His early surroundings exposed him to the political, cultural and social developments taking place in Sudan during the final decades of colonial administration.
He attended Ahfad School before continuing his education at Gordon Memorial College in Khartoum, according to the biographical account published by Sudanese writer Suleiman Saleh Darrar after his death.
His family background also connected him with Sudan’s wider educational and social reform traditions. His daughter Zeinab Badawi has discussed her family’s Sudanese background and the importance of education in her upbringing.
The available historical accounts provide some information about his education and early environment, but do not establish a detailed account of his childhood or the occupations of his parents.
Education and Qualifications
The surviving biographical records identify two educational institutions associated with El Badawi.
He initially attended Ahfad School and subsequently studied at Gordon Memorial College, an important educational institution in Sudan during the colonial period.
Although these institutions are repeatedly mentioned in Sudanese accounts, the available material does not establish a specific degree, graduation year or professional journalism qualification.
His subsequent career demonstrated a broad range of practical experience, including administrative employment, political organisation, newspaper editing and broadcasting.
How His Career Began
His professional life began before he became widely associated with broadcasting.
During the final years of the Second World War, he reportedly worked as a war correspondent or military writer with the Sudan Defence Force. A Sudanese biographical tribute states that he was still under 20 when he undertook this work.
This early experience later informed his interest in documenting Sudanese military history. One of his published works, Batulat Sudaneya, dealt with Sudan’s contribution during the Second World War.
After his work with the Sudan Defence Force, he entered other areas of employment. He reportedly worked in the hotels and refreshments section of the Sudanese railway administration before becoming an accountant with the Zande Project in southern Sudan.
His work in the Zande Project also brought him into contact with regional labour and administrative issues. The biographical account by Darrar credits him with helping establish an early trade-union organisation in the area.
These experiences preceded his stronger involvement in political organisation and professional journalism.
Political Activities Before Sudanese Independence
Politics became a significant part of El Badawi’s life during the period preceding Sudanese independence.
Biographical accounts describe him as a member of the executive committee of a Unionist political group referred to as the Abrofians. His involvement placed him within the political discussions surrounding Sudan’s future and the campaign against colonial administration.
One particularly important episode reportedly took place in 1947.
The Graduates’ Congress sent him to Atbara alongside Mohamed Nour El-Din to organise opposition to the proposed Legislative Council. According to the account published by Darrar in March 2016, his political activities resulted in a prison sentence of approximately two years, which he served at Al-Damer prison.
His political involvement subsequently expanded.
In the early 1950s, he helped establish the Socialist Republican Party alongside Ibrahim Badri, his cousin. The organisation supported an independent Sudanese republic and became involved in discussions concerning the country’s constitutional future.
El Badawi reportedly served as the party’s spokesperson and participated in negotiations involving Sudanese, British and Egyptian representatives. These discussions formed part of the political process that led towards self-government and independence.
His political contribution was also discussed in later interviews and historical commentary. In a 2013 interview republished by Alrakoba from the Sudanese newspaper Al-Sudani, he described himself as someone who had witnessed and participated in important events in the national movement.
His own memoir also contains his recollections of the political decisions and disagreements that shaped Sudan during the independence period.
Journalism Career in Sudan
After his earlier political and administrative work, El Badawi established himself in Sudanese journalism.
He became editor-in-chief of Al-Watan, a newspaper associated with the Socialist Republican Party. His work subsequently extended to other publications.
He also worked with the newspaper associated with the Gezira Scheme, commonly referred to as Al-Jazira. A review of his autobiography published by Al-Nilein in July 2008 describes his professional progression through these newspapers and highlights his work as an editor.
Another important position was his management of the Khartoum office of Reuters, referred to in Sudanese accounts as the Arab News Agency.
This experience gave him exposure to news gathering and the international reporting environment before he joined the BBC.
His journalism was not restricted to broadcasting. Accounts of his later writing also identify contributions to Sudanese newspapers and a political commentary column called Al-Karbaj, associated with the newspaper Al-Siyasa during Sudan’s third democratic period.
Career at the BBC Arabic Service
One of the defining stages of Mohammed-Khair El Badawi’s professional life was his work for the BBC Arabic Service.
He joined the organisation in 1962 after moving to London. His daughter Zeinab has also described how her father had worked as a Sudanese newspaper editor before joining the BBC Arabic Service when the family moved to Britain.
He worked in the Arabic Service newsroom and became associated with programmes covering political and economic subjects.
Two programmes are particularly relevant:
People and Politics
People and Politics was one of the programmes he prepared for the BBC Arabic Service. It dealt with political developments and public affairs.
The programme also became connected with a disagreement between El Badawi and the BBC over its coverage of Sudan.
Trade and Industry
He also worked on a programme known as Trade and Industry. Sudanese accounts describe this as a long-running part of his broadcasting work.
His professional experience combined news production, current affairs and the presentation of economic subjects to Arabic-speaking audiences.
According to his 2013 interview with Al-Sudani, he took voluntary early retirement from the BBC in 1985.
A friend writing after his death also recalled that he returned to the BBC Arabic newsroom as a freelance collaborator during the early 1990s, continuing until approximately 2008.
Therefore, 1985 is best understood as the date of his formal retirement rather than necessarily the final year of every BBC-related professional activity.
His Disagreement with BBC Coverage of Sudan
An interesting episode in his broadcasting career involved his disagreement with the BBC Arabic Service over its reporting of Sudan.
Sudanese publications describe an occasion when El Badawi stopped preparing People and Politics because he objected to the nature of the service’s coverage of his homeland.
The precise year is disputed. An article published by Sudanile quotes a historical account dating his decision to July 1984, while a later article in the Sudanese newspaper Alwan attributes it to 1986.
The disagreement reportedly concerned his belief that the reporting was unfair and damaging to Sudan’s reputation.
This episode illustrates the connection between his professional broadcasting responsibilities and his personal attachment to Sudan.
However, the available material does not provide sufficient independent documentation to establish the exact date or the complete internal BBC circumstances surrounding the dispute.
Books and Historical Writing
Writing about Sudanese history and his personal experiences became an important part of El Badawi’s later life.
Two titles are particularly associated with his work.
Qitar Al-Umr
His best-known autobiographical publication was Qitar Al-Umr, which can be translated as The Train of Life.
Its full Arabic title is Qitar Al-Umr: Fi Adab Al-Muanasa Wal-Mujalasa, referring to the art of conversation and companionship.
The book was published in Khartoum in 2008 by Dar Al-Nahar for Media Production. Contemporary coverage describes it as a 414-page work arranged into 14 sections or ‘stations’.
It documents different periods of his life, including his early employment, political experiences, journalism career and observations about Sudanese society.
The writer and novelist Tayeb Salih is reported to have contributed the introduction.
A review published by Al-Nilein on 26 July 2008 describes the book as an important account of El Badawi’s professional and political experiences. It also highlights his recollections of newspaper journalism and his work with the BBC.
The memoir is particularly valuable because it records the experiences and interpretations of someone who personally witnessed important events in modern Sudanese history. Nevertheless, it should be read as an individual’s recollection rather than treated as a substitute for independent historical research.
Batulat Sudaneya
Another book associated with his name is Batulat Sudaneya, concerning Sudan’s contribution to the Second World War.
The publication reflects his earlier experience with the Sudan Defence Force and his interest in preserving information about Sudanese participation in wartime service.
Sudanese memorial accounts identify both books as part of his later work documenting the country’s history.
Other Professional and Institutional Roles
El Badawi remained connected to Sudanese cultural and journalistic activities after his formal retirement.
One of his notable institutional positions was chairman of the board of Sinnar Magazine, a London-based publication.
According to its own memorial announcement, he held the position from the magazine’s establishment until his death in 2016.
A biographical article by Suleiman Saleh Darrar also identifies him as one of the magazine’s founders and states that he served as its chairman from 2011.
This appointment illustrates his continued engagement with Sudanese cultural and media circles in Britain.
Although he spent much of his later professional life in London, his interests remained closely connected to Sudanese history, literature and political discussion.
Personal Life and Daughter Zeinab Badawi
Mohammed-Khair El Badawi was the father of Zeinab Badawi, the Sudanese-British journalist and broadcaster.
Zeinab developed a prominent career in British television and international broadcasting. She became known for presenting programmes including BBC HARDtalk and Global Questions.
In October 2021, Arab News reported that her father had worked for the BBC Arabic Service and described her as coming from a family with a strong connection to broadcasting.
A biography prepared for the World Trade Organization also identifies her father’s involvement in Sudanese pre-independence politics.
The family relationship was further confirmed at a memorial event organised in London in September 2016. A report in Alrakoba stated that Zeinab attended and spoke on behalf of her father’s family.
A condolence tribute by Sudanese politician Yassir Arman also identifies the family, naming his wife as Asia Malik and listing his children, including Zeinab, Adila, Mona, Bashir, Badawi and Ahmed.
These personal details come from memorial accounts rather than a comprehensive official family biography. The best-established relationship for an international readership is therefore his parentage of Zeinab Badawi.
Death and Burial in Sudan
Mohammed-Khair El Badawi died in London on 3 March 2016.
His death was announced by Sudan’s media community and reported in memorial notices published on the day of his death and shortly afterwards.
One of the tributes was issued by Sinnar Magazine, of which he was chairman. It remembered him as a journalist, writer, translator and participant in Sudan’s struggle for independence.
Despite spending many years in Britain, his attachment to Sudan remained strong.
He had expressed the wish to be buried in Sennar, near his father and uncle, close to the shrine of Sheikh Farah Wad Taktuk.
This wish was fulfilled. In an article published by Sudanile on 11 April 2016, journalist Mohamed Sheikh Hussein reported that his body was returned from London and buried in the cemetery of Sheikh Farah Wad Taktuk in Sennar, in accordance with his wishes.
The burial was attended by members of his family, including Zeinab Badawi, as well as local officials, journalists and other members of the community.
Legacy in Sudanese Journalism and History
Mohammed-Khair El Badawi’s legacy combines three important areas: journalism, political participation and historical writing.
His early involvement in the independence movement placed him among the Sudanese who participated in political organisation and debates about the country’s constitutional future.
His newspaper work and subsequent employment with Reuters and the BBC Arabic Service connected Sudanese journalism with international broadcasting.
His books also provide a record of his professional experiences and personal interpretation of the country’s political and social development.
His autobiography, Qitar Al-Umr, remains particularly important for understanding how one participant remembered the events surrounding Sudan’s transition to independence.
His family connection to Zeinab Badawi has brought renewed public interest in his life, but his own achievements deserve attention independently of his daughter’s broadcasting career.
He died in 2016, but his contribution to Sudanese journalism and his written recollections remain part of the country’s media and historical record.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was Mohammed-Khair El Badawi?
Mohammed-Khair El Badawi was a Sudanese journalist, political activist, newspaper editor and broadcaster. He worked for the BBC Arabic Service and authored books about his life and Sudanese history.
2. Was Mohammed-Khair El Badawi Zeinab Badawi’s father?
Yes. Mohammed-Khair El Badawi was the father of Sudanese-British broadcaster Zeinab Badawi, who became known internationally for her BBC journalism.
3. When was Mohammed-Khair El Badawi born?
Sudanese biographical accounts place his birth in 1926 or 1926–1927 in Al-Qulai’a, Dar al-Ribatab, Sudan. His exact birthday has not been reliably established.
4. Did Mohammed-Khair El Badawi work for the BBC?
Yes. He joined the BBC Arabic Service in 1962 and worked on political and economic programmes, including People and Politics and Trade and Industry. He formally retired in 1985.
5. What books did Mohammed-Khair El Badawi write?
Two books associated with him are Qitar Al-Umr, his autobiographical account published in 2008, and Batulat Sudaneya, which discusses Sudan’s contribution during the Second World War.
6. Was Mohammed-Khair El Badawi involved in Sudanese politics?
Yes. He participated in pre-independence political activity, reportedly served a prison sentence following his involvement in opposition to the Legislative Council and helped establish the Socialist Republican Party in the early 1950s.
7. When did Mohammed-Khair El Badawi die?
He died in London on 3 March 2016. His body was subsequently returned to Sudan, where he was buried in Sennar according to his wishes.
Conclusion
Mohammed-Khair El Badawi was more than the father of a well-known British broadcaster. His life encompassed Sudanese political activism, newspaper journalism, international broadcasting and historical writing. His work with the BBC Arabic Service and his autobiography, Qitar Al-Umr, provide important insights into his professional journey and his perspective on Sudan’s modern history. His story remains a meaningful part of the history of Sudanese journalism.
