Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people, a list that inspires, enlightens and brings to light the individuals who have left in their wake a different world. An innovator from Silicon valley who changed the course of education; an Oscar winning filmmaker from Pakistan determined to bring the world’s attention to a heinous crime and a writer whose unabashed subject matter challenges the conservative and sets a precedence predicted to overturn modern literature.
The list is populated with individuals from across the globe and this year influential personalities from the Middle East and Asia dotted the pages as the world reeled from their mark. Ali Ferzat, a political cartoonist in Syria, had his hands broken to silence the amplifying murmur of a revolution when tyrants found space in his cartoons. Despite the assault, Ferzat’s cartoons retained their message and became a symbol of freedom and liberation.
Samira Ibrahim, another individual from the Middle East to have made the list, fought for freedom by refusing to stay silent against the unspeakable injustice she was put through at the hands of Egyptian soldiers. It’s not her story that moved the world, but her ability to speak out. Through Ibrahim’s refusal to stay silent she has set a powerful precedent.
Where Samira Ibrahim’s plight was personal, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s struggle is for those whose cries go unheard. Through her Oscar winning documentarySaving Face, Chinoy focused attention on acid victims in Pakistan, making the world gasp at the unimaginable anguish and pain of the survivors. Awareness is closely followed by rectification of the wrong and in this case Chinoy has alerted the world, making her struggle inspirational and influential.
Iran’s spiritual leader, Ayatullah Ali Khamenei, has made the list for the world’s most influential, and not without reason. Iran’s foreign policy is dictated by the spiritual leader, hence his sole influence guides the fates of several nations.
Making the list the greatest number of times is Oprah Winfrey who has been deemed influential enough to swing a presidential election. Oprah is followed by President Barack Obama, innovator Steve Jobs, Nelson Mandela and Mark Zuckerberg. Contrary to popular belief, making the list is not necessarily an honour because influencing the world can either be positive or negative. The list simply documents history in the making and a transformation of the world of yesterday to the world of tomorrow – whether for better or for worse remains to be seen as the future unfolds.
