From a Bangladesh village to Guildhall: Chef, cabin crew leader and law student becomes City Freeman

London, United Kingdom Oct 28, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - FROM A BANGLADESH VILLAGE TO GUILDHALL: CHEF, CABIN CREW LEADER AND LAW STUDENT BECOMES CITY FREEMAN

Camden restaurateur and humanitarian Sabbir Karim has been admitted to the Freedom of the City of London, marking a remarkable journey from a village childhood in Bangladesh to a life spanning aviation, hospitality, charitable service and, more recently, studying law.

Sabbir received the Freedom at London's historic Guildhall on 22 October 2026, surrounded by family and friends.

Known to diners through Salaam Namaste in Bloomsbury, Namaaste Kitchen in Camden Town and Namaaste Highgate, Sabbir also serves as an Inflight Leader with British Airways, where his career spans more than 30 years.

Alongside these demanding roles, he has spent three decades supporting charitable causes in the UK and overseas. At 55, he returned to formal education to pursue a law degree at the University of West London.

His journey began in Ekatuna, in Bangladesh's Moulvibazar district. As a child, he walked miles along muddy roads to school and did his homework by lantern light. He arrived in Britain aged nine, grew up in London council housing and attended Holland Park School.

By 16, he was working in hospitality to help support his family. At 21, he returned to education at Southgate College, completing a BTEC National Diploma in Business and Finance while working.

That determination to keep learning has remained with him throughout his career.

His charitable work has also grown alongside his professional life. As founder and chair of the SN Free Primary Health Care Trust, Sabbir has helped deliver 43 free medical camps in Bangladesh, reaching more than 7,500 people through healthcare programmes.

Through the Sabbir Karim Foundation, his work includes food assistance, support for people facing medical hardship, youth sport and small-scale livelihood support to help individuals become more financially independent.

In the UK, his community efforts have included support for vulnerable families during the pandemic, meals for NHS staff and frontline workers, and assistance for people affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

He also serves as a trustee of Sreepur Village, which supports vulnerable mothers and children in Bangladesh. His connection with the organisation began with a visit as a member of cabin crew nearly three decades ago.

The Guildhall ceremony brought together people from across these different parts of his life. Guests included Anne Clarke AM, former Mayor of Camden Heather Johnson and Professor Tom Selwyn.

Following the ceremony, Sabbir's wife, Aneela, organised a celebratory dinner at Salaam Namaste, bringing family and friends together to mark the occasion.

For Sabbir, admission to the Freedom of the City of London is a deeply personal milestone in the city where he grew up, raised his family and built his working life. His continuing law studies add another chapter to a journey shaped by work, education and service to others.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Full name: Abdul Musabbir Karim, known as Sabbir Karim.
Roles: Chef and restaurateur; British Airways Inflight Leader; founder of the Sabbir Karim Foundation; founder and chair of the SN Free Primary Health Care Trust; trustee of Sreepur Village; University of West London law student.
Restaurants: Salaam Namaste, Namaaste Kitchen and Namaaste Highgate.
Freedom of the City of London ceremony: 22 October 2026, Guildhall, London.
Photographs and interviews are available.

Media contact: Sabbir Karim
Telephone: 07949 564567
Email: [email protected]
Websites: www.sabbirkarim.com | www.sabbirkarimfoundation.com

Media Contact

Sabbir Karim

[email protected]

07949564567

http://www.namaastehighgate.co.uk