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.
@Adnan
Afia is a terrorist because she went around supporting terrorists and providing actual help to them and participating in extremism. It has NOTHING to do with her hijab.
I wear a hijab, and so does my mother. That does not make us terrorists. But someone who has been proven to support terrorists and has never once denounced terrorists or terrorism IS a terrorist. Whether they wear a hijab or not.
Also, my congratulations to Sharmeen. I have not seen this documentary, but have seen some others by her and she makes all Pakistani and Muslim women proud by her acheivements. Just as all the Talibans make all Muslims ashamed of their activities.
There is a saying n Punjabi.
“Sheraan day puttar sher”
I am afraid that so called feminists like Ms.Khan would have considered this an attack on women community.
As far as qualification is concerned, I believe that qualification of Dr. Afia is matchless and all women who criticize her by labeling her “Not a Pakistani”, having qualification not even equivalent of dust of Afia’s shoe. Irony is, Both Sharmeen and Afia are living abroad and got education in US. Afia is terrorist because she wears scarf and a Hafiza and “committed a sin” to defend herself against a few strong American soldiers who fired at her while Sharmeen don’t wear scarf, promote a “Modern Islam” Agenda by ridiculing Islam herself and pampering the people who feed her.
Sharmeen has won many many awards- For her films in Iraq about the US occupation, for her film about Kashmir and for her work in South Africa. Her bread and butter as Adnan would like us to believe does NOT depend on Pakistan or the Taliban- But you are so small minded Adnan, it is no wonder Sharmeen is world renowned and you my dear are not.
Move off your lazy ass and do something instead of pointing fingers- And had you bothered to do ANY research you would have found out that the film is extremely critical of the US drone attacks- We dont deserve women like Sharmeen because men like you will always find fault- You make me sick
She is distorting the facts. This is not happening in every madrassa of Pakistan. but her documentary shows that every madrassa is controlled by Taliban. Secondly her way of talking about the Quran was also blasphemous like its just some book. She does deserve any Emmy because she is supporting their Agenda. But i m surprised how every one is so happy for her Emmy like its some heavenly thing.