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Sabeen Mahmud named one of 100 Leading Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy

Sabeen Mahmud named one of 100 Leading Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy

The only person from Pakistan to be selected, Sabeen has been chosen for 'creating a safe space in an illiberal society'
02 Dec, 2015

Global affairs magazine Foreign Policy (FP) has named slain social activist Sabeen Mahmud in its annual list of 100 Leading Global Thinkers. Sabeen's legacy as the founder and driving force of The Second Floor (T2F) has been honoured alongside the work of 11 other ‘Advocates’.

FP has chosen Sabeen ‘’for creating a safe space in an illiberal society’’.

Sabeen founded T2F in 2007 as place to talk about under-discussed topics and free creative expression. She fearlessly championed many causes including domestic violence and was the brains behind Pakistan's first hackathon.

She believed that a dialogue always helps in reaching a solution. She was shot on April 24 after a divisive talk at T2F.

100 Leading Global Thinkers is an annual list of individuals who have contributed to the betterment of the world. Doctors and lawyers, musicians and artists, activists and entrepreneurs are recognised for their work as 'Decision-makers', 'Challengers', 'Advocates', 'Innovators', 'Artists', 'Moguls', 'Healers', 'Stewards' and 'Chroniclers'. The list also doesn’t differentiate on the basis of gender or race and the people chosen belong to almost all continents. Also, for the first time ever, the list includes more women than men.

After Sabeen's demise, her mother Mehnaz carried forward her vision and initiated the Sabeen Mahmud Foundation which sustains Sabeen's many projects, including Peace Niche, Faraar Gallery and Art Bazaar.

While her organisation PeaceNiche was nominated for one of the leading humanitarian award, Human Rights Tulip, Sabeen was awarded South Asian Meeto Memorial Award in October this year.

Comments

Khan Dec 02, 2015 11:59am
So unfortunate that we recognize the greatness of a person after his death. She might not have made it into the coveted list, were she alive and doing the same job.
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a Dec 02, 2015 12:37pm
Stay safe all those carrying forward her legacy. She was such a beautiful girl ...
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mba Dec 02, 2015 01:32pm
Why the others manage to identify talents in our Country, while we tend to eliminate them? Not only Ms. Sabeen but her whole Family seem to be a treasure for Pakistan. I wish them all the best and a Long life from the very core of my heart.
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Hasan Dec 02, 2015 02:07pm
She was a great lady but her inclusion in the list does not make sense at all. She was not a top global thinker in any manner. Her name in the list is added to put bad light on Pakistan. It is just to show that Pakistan is a bad place for women.
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raw is war Dec 02, 2015 02:44pm
A good choice, I would say.
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