Alex Sheikh | Legal Name: Rifat E Rabbi

Hello there, fellow Sapien!

I am a Class One Civil Servant in Bangladesh (45th BCS), currently serving as a Social Services Officer under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Prior to entering public service, I worked as a development professional and humanitarian practitioner with international organizations such as USAID and the British Council.

My academic foundation lies in the social sciences, with a focus on International Relations and Political Science. I hold both BSS and MSS degrees in Peace and Conflict Studies—an intellectual grounding that continues to shape how I understand and engage with the world. Literary and journalistic work has also been central to my intellectual life. Over the years, I have contributed to several national dailies, including Prothom Alo, Daily Samakal, Daily Destiny, The Asian Age, Daily Ittefaq, and Daily Kalbela.

The arts, however, are where my inner world finds its fullest expression. My musical journey has been closely intertwined with Chhayanaut—the country's oldest and largest cultural institution, and I currently teach music at the Todi Academy of Fine Arts. I also engage with visual arts, photography, literature, and digital content—fields that allow me to observe, interpret, and reimagine reality from multiple perspectives.

At the core of my work lies a commitment to education and social service. I have volunteered with initiatives led by Democracywatch, Service Civil International, Bidyanondo Foundation, Quantum Foundation, and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.

At heart, I am committed to building bridges—between people and institutions, ideas and action, art and policy. I seek to promote justice and advocate for peace across communities, cultures, and identities, contributing, in whatever measure I can, to a more humane and coherent world. I aspire to help shape societies that are tolerant, compassionate, and just.

If you share an interest in education and social work, arts and entertainment, productivity and good living, or simply value thoughtful conversations, I would be glad to connect. Let us strive to leave the world better than we found it.