Continuing Sabeen’s legacy

Pakistan is generally perceived as a male-dominated society where women are confined to their homes and are not empowered enough to contribute towards society. From the political sphere to the business world, men hold most of the key positions. But there’s always another side to any story. This is also a country where a woman stands up against a powerful dictator and keeps fighting for democracy until she is silenced forever. This is a society where a teenage girl has the courage to challenge terrorists and fight for women’s right to education even after taking bullets to her head. A society where an activist like Sabeen Mahmud does not surrender her struggle to find peaceful solutions to the socio-political issues gripping her country – until she is ruthlessly targeted and murdered. Sabeen Mahmud, a human rights activist and director of a space to encourage dialogue – called T2F (The Second Floor) – was shot several times on April 24, as she drove home with her mother after hosting an event at her café and art space in Karachi. She died before reaching the hospital and her mother was injured. It is not clear who is behind her murder but the issue of Balochistan draws issues of state censorship. We all know there is an ongoing conflict in Balochistan and people have every right to know the real state of affairs. Closing down debate will only make the situation worse. The people of Pakistan are smart enough to understand the issues faced by their country. Any efforts to patronise them or to prevent them from participating in dialogue will always falter. Sabeen Mahmud was a fearless activist who never gave in. Her strength was to counter extremist narratives through music, art and logical debate. She believed in herself and the causes she championed – to an extent that she never thought she was endangering her life. Before her murder she said in an interview: “I have a very cavalier attitude towards fear – I don’t care – I just feel that when the time comes, you have to go.” She made her point strongly: that ideas outlive individuals. Sabeen Mahmud represented, and in death continues to represent, a fearless section of Pakistani society. I met her friends recently who organised a silent vigil to honour her memory and work. Tears were shed but one could clearly sense their commitment to carry on her legacy – the legacy of a peaceful Pakistan where everyone has a right to speak their mind, and where people respect each other’s thoughts and ideas. Sabeen Mahmud sought to explore solutions by promoting wider social engagement. Her centre was open for everyone. She was open for a discussion with anyone (even with those who threatened her life). Kamila Shamsi described this unique feature of her personality: “She didn’t judge those who were less than her and she took people on their own merits.” We are certainly an unfortunate society: where people are targeted and killed for having a point of view; their faith judged if they speak up for the rights of minority faith groups; and their loyalty to their country questioned if they stand up against statesanctioned human rights abuses instead of taking the easy route of silence. No state institution should be beyond the law. And every citizen has the right to debate socio-political issues to explore lasting solutions. Ideally, the government should protect activists like Sabeen Mahmud, who represent a Pakistan modelled on the dreams of its founding fathers. A Pakistan where citizens feel safe and protected irrespective of their beliefs. Where people stand against injustices without fear of violent consequences. Indeed, Pakistan is a strange country, because you will not find brave women like Sabeen Mahmud in every town or city. Individuals who stand up against the brutal elements of our society. Who believe that hate can be countered by love and who value human rights above all else. Sabeen is no longer amongst us. But through her own tragedy, she succeeded in raising a wider debate on a very important human rights issue. The writer is a human rights activist and works for an interfaith and conflict resolution organisation in London called Faith Matters. He tweets at @rehmananwer