Hayat interviewed Meriam Sabih about her career in journalism, the importance of new journalists in the field, and what’s up next for her.
Q: How did you get started in journalism? What’s the journey been like?
I always loved writing. I have written short stories, poems, and articles throughout my life even as a teenager and a young adult. I’ve had a passion for politics, religion, researching conflicts and conflict resolution. I was involved in activism whether it be the Arab-Israeli conflict, the right to education, importance of voting, highlighting social injustices and racism.
My father and my grandparents are survivors of the bloody Pakistan-India partition and they escaped unbelievable horrors. I always felt grateful for the freedoms I have being born in the United States and I wanted to use that to serve the common good. This is especially the case because my parents and grandparents worked so hard in order for me to have a better quality of life, security, and access to education. Religion also plays an important part of my life and I consider myself to be a deeply religious and spiritual person. There is so much in common between members of various faiths and sects we are divided into yet the differences are so beautiful and should be celebrated. I definitely developed my sense of duty and values from Islam. A strong sense of identity was also instilled in us from frequent trips to Pakistan where I fell in love with the culture.
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I had a very young family at the time but I got more serious about writing more frequently and to a larger audience when I saw what happened with Malala Yousafzai. At the time, I was so inspired to see a young girl who is so brave as to speak out for her right to an education and against terrorism and what she faced. I saw the problems we are facing in South Asia and around the world with the rise of extremism and hate and the aftermath of 9/11.
And I was inspired by her bravery and thought we should all do our small part to speak out for the truth. Amongst our own community there were some who were brewing conspiracy theories against her and others who were talking about the white savior complex. I wrote a piece on the “Silencing Malala Yousafzai, and the Brown Man’s Honor Complex” on why some people were having a hard time giving credit to her for her own thoughts and her own activism and the broad minded values her family had taught her and that are intrinsic to Pashtun history. Freedom and education are not only values of the West but in fact that are our very own values as Muslims too.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of what you do? The most difficult?
A prominent Pakistani journalist was just killed a couple days ago in Kenya in a horrific incident. And any time a journalist is killed a full independent investigation should be conducted by organizations such as the committee to Protect Journalists but also by the United States and United Nations with consequences against any country which forces its journalists into harms way for simply doing their job. We can have disagreements and can fight misinformation but violence cannot occur.
I did not agree with the late Arshad Sharif on many issues nor was I particularly following his work but I respected his right to a voice and his passion for his work and I believe all journalists need to be protected. They serve an essential role in a democracy, in protecting our society, and ensuring our freedom to information and work in some of the most dangerous situations and circumstances and because of that we must stand up for them and protect them. No government should be allowed to silence the voices of their journalists.
The most rewarding aspects is getting important information out there and working even in the slightest ways to inform our readers and make positive steps for change whether that is in policy or perspectives….both which are important!
Q: What’s next for you? What are you working on currently?
I am involved in local politics on a grassroots level. Yesterday I visited an elderly Indian woman who needed help to register to vote. The previous week we helped clean the streets as part of community work. In my small way I’d love to elevate the voices of hard working immigrant families and second generation Americans.
As we recently learned with our democracy at risk it’s very important to vote and to encourage and empower others to vote. As for future plans as my children get older, I would like to run for Congress one day, maybe even Senator. I also want to start my own talk show. I would also love to continue traveling, telling stories, researching, and writing and to also publish my short stories.
Q: What advice do you have for others interested in breaking into this field?
We need more of you in this field. Come forward and add your voice and support to those around you and those who stood before you so bravely. Be open to learning as a life long journey. Be open to change and growth. Respect and honor those who paved the way and always stand up for fellow journalists even if you disagree with them on issues. An attack on one journalist is an attack on freedom and us all.
