Apart from Sharmeen, awards were also presented to actor-model Charlize Theron and artist Vik Muniz. PHOTO: PUBLICITY
Staying true to her sense of style and love for Pakistani designers, Obaid-Chinoy yet again wore clothes and accessories from local designers. The beautiful Swarovski Pakistani flag-themed clutch she carried is a hand designed piece made by Samia and Azmay Shahzada, and her stunning gold jumpsuit and sherwani coat paired were from Nida Azwer’s Atelier creation. At other ceremonies and international red carpet events, she has worn Bunto Kazmi, Maheen Karim, Fashion ComPassion and Mahin Hussain.
As she tweeted her excitement about being at the ceremony, she told The Express Tribune: “The crystal award is special because this is the first time a Pakistani is being honoured at the World Economic Forum. I feel proud to represent my country and showcase the fact that educated empowered women are making strides in Pakistan.”
She added that she feels humbled by the opportunity to represent Pakistan, and that the award embodies the sentiments that guide her work as a film-maker. “I firmly believe that the pursuit of art and film can change the world by promoting dialogue and acting as a catalyst for change,” she said.
The Crystal Award — introduced by the World Economic Forum in 1995 — honours personalities who are committed to improving the state of the world and are, hence, regarded as both cultural leaders and global citizens.
Apart from Sharmeen, awards were also presented for the role of arts in the society to big names like actor-model Charlize Theron for her Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, and artist Vik Muniz for his membership in the Global Agenda Council.
The award pays tribute to the decisive role culture and art play in the creation of global understanding and peace and is presented every year at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.
At the end, Obaid-Chinoy said, “[On Tuesday], I spoke about the power of film in changing mindsets of Pakistani people and the fact that documentaries can be used to spread the word at the grassroots level — people who put their lives at risk every day to bring change in their communities.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (30)
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Come on , give it to this girl. She did acheive something . Please lets not pull her down. Credit where credit due Jaan.
For once..we should all appreciate what she has done..What if she has an NGO? i mean this is not the point.we are celebrating the fact that one pakistani woman made us proud and won an Oscar..as jameel has very correctly said, that a woman like sharmeen can afford to wear gucci,prada, channel etc but she chose pakistani designers which is a very commendable thing to do.Many of our politicians and models proudly tell the brand names they like to wear ,but we cant do anything about that! so for once lets not be bitter and feel happy about this lady!!
@o2 : why are you so bitter. stop complaining and start appreciating!
I wonder why there are no comments here of Indian readers. Seems it is difficult for them to see something good about Pakistan Eh :D
@Schabboo Khan: I think edhi is more deserving than anyone in Pakistan since I have seen how majority of Pakistani owned NGO's are run by our so called self proclaimed philanthropist, most NGO's only talk about specific matters like women rights or rape (there are more rape cases in the US, recently 700 cases were reported just in their air force) or minority rights, thus the foreign aid flows into their accounts as those foreign countries only want to highlight those problems which are in their agenda or in their interest. Unfortunately these same NGO's are never seen anywhere near in cases such as Shazib murder, Kamran's case, drone attacks, killings in Iraq or Afghanistan, corruption & injustice etc. FYI biggest philanthropists are Pakistanis themselves not these NGO's who take millions of dollars and give mere thousand of dollars to few poor, & mind you their board of governors consist of family members or relatives or firends.
I wish more people from Pakistan achieve such awards and enhance our respect in the international community. We should make best use of media be it movies, short films, documentaries to educate our people on the social ills which have really destroyed our society. We should take lead from Sharmeen. Its not one man/woman show. We need to collectively handle social issues through media which is the best platform available to educate people and even those who are at the helm of affairs. Thank you Sharmeen.
good girl !!!
It seems some readers did not understand the fabric of this event's nature. World Economic Forum was the biggest event happening that day and she represented Pakistan in a great way. It is the first time any Pakistani is honored in WEF. I think the title of this article should be changed to First time ever a Pakistani is honored at WEF.
She is little plump or overweight and the dress looks gaudy and not pleasing.Handbag is grand.
Why some people are debating on such a useless issue. Whether she owns NGO or Not and her NGO doing good work or not is not an issue. She make Pakistan proud thats it. So we all should congratulate her.
For those who are debating on her NGO if you have gutts make your own or bring one international award to Pakistan.
It looks like Pakistan's problems have vanished after the film and all is well ??
she is very beautiful. intelligent, sophisticated yet extremely humane. P.S. sadly the makeup in this picture is not doing her any favors.
Congratulations Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy!
Pakistan is very proud of you and we admire your commitment to humanity, the world over. Yes, let it be a promise to Almighty Allah. Women folks in Pakistan and elsewhere need the support and recognition you have given and continue to give them.
Pakistan is encouraged by your strength of purpose. Salams 2013
Love the clothes love the fact that you continue to do good work- thank you
@arcane Yes millions of Pakistanis do wear local stuff. But unlike Sharmeen, those who can afford to wear luxury brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Roverto Cavalli would never wear a local designer to an a red carpet event like the Oscars or any other big international event. So we are PROUD of sharmeen
Guys,
http://www.citizensarchive.org/?page_id=45
I only see one Obaid Chinoy on the board. She has an NGO that's for sure that collects Pakistan's history. While many of you debate whether it's good or bad or useful or not at least there aren't any family members on the board.
http://www.citizensarchive.org/?page_id=152
Well done Sharmeen!
o2 - i'd suggest you check your facts before making such allegations. I have previously interned at CAP - a not-for-proift Sharmeen is the co-founder of - I personally think they do great work. And I've never come across the sort of nepotism you talk about. Its terrible how we've been so unappreciative of her since her Oscar - coincidence? perhaps not.
Really? I work for her NGO and I wish I were her family! :)
Make a movie on people who are losing their lives in drone attacks, lets see what award you win. Wear Pakistan and humiliate Pakistan nice strategy.
Get your facts correct it's an NGO run by an executive board which she heads! No one from her family works there- man we are so warped- bravo Sharmeen continue fighting the good fight!
@o2: Why don't you go and start your own NGO, hire your relatives, neighbors and friends and do some good ... and if you perform well we'll make sure you get awards as well ... or maybe it is easier to keep your mouth shut.
@Kassim khan: FY she has one & I know few who work in that org.
02 I almost want to laugh at your insane comment! She doesn't own any NGO and her family members work in textiles get your facts right- in pakistan every idiot has a point to prove get over it- take your mind out of the gutter for goodness sake!
before everyone says something please do check about her ngo too, where many of her family members work & take salaries. think again how ngo's work, majority of them are in the hands of the elite. Oscar brings nothing for common Pakistanis nor majority of the ngo's bring anything good ofr the poor on whose pain some people cash in & leave them. Think again.
She does the country proud! :)
Sharmeen is on a roll.......and it has to do a little with luck.......and a lot with brilliance.
so what? millions of Pakistanis wear it too. get over it.
nice to hear it
Congratulations, Sharmeen. You go gurl!! Thanks for making Pakistan proud.