Adil Najam and Faris Isam
ATP had first written about Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy back in January 2007 when the Toronto Star had named her as “Toronto’s Top 10 to Watch.” We had ended that post with the words, “Congratulations, Sharmeen… ATP will also be watching you in 2007 and beyond!” We have been doing exactly that. And we are delighted to report that Sharmeen has just won an Emmy Award for her gripping Frontline Documentary, “Pakistan: Children of the Taliban.“
Congratulations, again, Sharmeen.
Amidst a sea of bad news and pessimism, the news of Sharmeen’s Emmy has come as a very welcome breeze of freshness. This is hardly the first milestone of Obaid-Chinoy’s career, as the journalist and filmmaker is also a TED Fellow and the first non-American winner of the Livingston Award for Young Journalists. (Watch Sharmeen’s Emmy winning documentary here).
Her documentary – which has only played to limited audiences in Pakistan because of security concerns – explores Taliban recruitment strategies, their effect on the youth and their methods to radicalize the country’s young and often dejected populace. (Visit Sharmeen’s website with details of this and other documentaries by her, here; watch Children of the Taliban, here).
But Sharmeen’s achievement also comes as a moment of grave personal loss and challenge for Sharmeen. TeethMaestro reports the details on his blog:
In a very touching moment, the day before, her father died of cancer in the UK where he was undergoing chemotherapy. Her message following the news of the death of her father on Facebook, posted practically 10 hours before the Emmy award ceremony, where she was in attendance, read “Only the good die young- you always said aba…love you” and later following the victory she dedicated her Emmy to her father by saying “Tonight’s Emmy win is dedicated to you aba…”
We are moved by Sharmeen achievement, but even more by her loss. Our condolences to her at her father’s loss. We are sure her father was immensely proud of her. And we are proud of her too.
Our prayers are with you and your family in this time of loss. And our fond wishes to you for your achievement. As we had promised back in 2007, we will keep watching you and your work!
Thank you, Sharmeen.
@N
Drone attacks are happening because every domestic/international terrorist had made a home in FATA. Instead of focusing on real problem, you are outraged over side issues.
Great work Shermeen!
Adil bhai I have a very serious question for you. I have noticed in your blog that whenever suicide attack or bomb blast or some other tragic event happens in Pakistan, next day you write an article to express your grief, anger etc. Your articles are filled with strong emotions and sane assessment of the events. This is a good thing!
But I yet to see an article, condemning Drone attacks this year, by you? What about the NATO forces who crossed our border last week and killed three of our soldiers? What about the drone attacks in the last 2 weeks which killed more than 30 SUSPECTED militants? Were they really suspected militants (did they have labels on them saying that) or were they innocent? How come you did not manage to write any article on any of these events? Where does all your emotion go when it comes to drone attacks?
You said in one of your articles “The Violence We Condone Breeds The Violence We Condemn”. Are you not condoning this Drone Attack violence?
If I can feel so strongly this missing bit in your blog, imagine how a person, whose family members died in drone attacks and who happens to read your blog regularly, would feel about this. Please go through articles written this year by you, and let me know how many articles you dedicated to drone attacks? I ask the same question to readers of this blog.
In one of your articles on bomb blasts your wrote this “How Inhuman Can a Fanatic Be?” How come I don’t see you ever writing this “How Inhuman Can a US Gov/Military Be?”
Thanks
its very sick and strane to see how some of u people just jump on ameircan propoganda badwagan,really congrates on what?for lieng and crazy by americans,people like u are really have no mind or soul.
u are same as those peopel who were jumping up and down when obama became presedent like there MAMA become presedent.and now same obama is planing to expand fail ameircan war(it batter be called armed roberry!!!)
in to pakistan,few days ago they shoot and kileld 3 pakistani sevice men with out any reason and so called pakistani talban are ameircan pupets and so called these terriosts are once mujhajeed ,who were hosted by american president in white house.
where is your selfrespect people?
I am sorry to hear about her father. But on the film, Sharmeen is just a mouthpiece for US propaganda. So, yes, sure, they are giving her these awards.
her interview
Listen to the sacrificial lamb comment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUICJlRjYeQ