We won’t cry over Nigar Ahmed’s death, says Mahnaz Rahman

Nuzhat Shireen says the late activist taught them how to be politically correct

KARACHI: Just like we did not cry when Chinese communist revolutionary Mao Zedong died, we will not cry over the death of late activist and founder of Aurat Foundation, Nigar Ahmed.

Mahnaz Rahman, the resident director of Aurat Foundation’s Karachi chapter, said this at an event organised in honour of the feminist leader who recently passed away in Lahore. A number of people, including human rights icon Faisal Edhi, paid tribute to Ahmed for her contribution and services. The event was organised at Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, on Saturday.

According to Rahman, even if you are not part of Aurat Foundation and have left in due course, you are still a part of it spiritually. “We loved Ahmed as she loved us,” she said.



Shahida Kanwal, a poet, read some verses praising Ahmed while a subordinate, Raheela Rahim, said they learnt a lot from her in those eight years of her professional life. Activist Nuzhat Shireen said Ahmed taught them how to be politically correct.

Former journalist Shahida Kazi praised and complimented the efforts of Ahmed in the way of women's rights.

Faisal Edhi, the young Edhi scion, said he feels honoured to be talking about Ahmed. “I have never met her but her work for women's rights and emancipation is [commendable],” he said. “This was certainly a long struggle on her part [and] of course led to a better course of action for [the] women of today."

Karamat Ali, a labour rights activist, said that women have greatly contributed to society in our country. “If there were women political leaders, there were even social rights leaders [such as] Ahmed who played a leading role away from politics,” he said. “She [encouraged] women towards political education and consciousness to increase political understanding of our troubles. I think the need of the hour remains a booklet on her life and times so that everyone [gets to] know [about] her contribution."