Dr Robina Shah is a role model for youth: Nefees Zakaria
High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Dr Robina Shah’s statue unveiled at the High Commission
London: High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Dr Robina Shah’s statue was unveiled at the Pakistan High Commission London on 18 April 2019. A prominent organization ‘non zero one’ prepared the statue of Dr Shah to acknowledge her achievement and valuable contribution to society.
In his remarks on the occasion, High Commissioner Mohammad Nafees Zakaria termed the initiative an apt recognition for Dr Robina Shah who is the first ever female Muslim and British Pakistani to hold the august office of High Sheriff.
Commending Dr Shah, Mr Zakaria termed her a role model and inspiration for the young generation.
The High Commissioner said: “The British – Pakistani Diaspora and people of Pakistan are proud of Dr. Shah’s achievement and valuable contribution to the multicultural mosaic of the British society. I firmly believe that women are a cornerstone of prosperity for society as a whole. He cited the Quaid who had termed women more powerful than the pen and sword.
Mr Zakaria also gave an overview of the contribution of women in various walks of life in Pakistan during the last 70 years, and added that successive Governments have remained committed to ensuring political and economic empowerment of women in Pakistan. He allayed misperception about the women’s rights and their participation in the country’s mainstream politics and other segments of life in Pakistan.
Dr Robina Shah, in her remarks said that to be one of the 25 women selected for this honour is incredible. However, she said, it is important to recognize those many more women who continue to do amazing work in various walks of life. Dr Shah said whatever she achieved in life was due to the good people around her who motivated and inspired her. She also thanked the High Commissioner for hosting the unveiling ceremony at the Pakistan High Commission London.
Prof. Clare Gerada, from Council of the Royal College of General Practitioners, also spoke on the occasion and commended the work of Dr Shah.
Cat Harrison and John Hunter made a presentation about the work of ‘non zero one’, an artist collective, and how they selected 25 prominent women for preparing their statues as a way of recognizing their contributions to the society.
Dr Robina Shah is the first person in Europe known to publish research about the support needs of children with disabilities from South-Asian backgrounds. Dr Shah was the first Asian woman to be personally appointed by the Queen as High Sheriff for Greater Manchester.
