"Daniel and I want to dedicate this award to all the heroes working on the ground in Pakistan including Dr Mohammad Jawad who's here with us today," said Obaid-Chinoy, referring to her co-director Daniel Junge. Jawad was the plastic surgeon "working on rehabilitating all these women" including Rukhsana and Zakia, "our main subjects of the film, whose resilience and bravery in the face of such adversity is admirable," she added.
Obaid-Chinoy paid tribute to "all the women in Pakistan who are working for change," saying: "Don't give up on your dreams. This is for you." Twitter followers in Pakistan erupted with joy at news of the Oscar, falling over themselves with praise for her win and delighted that Pakistan was making headlines for something other than al Qaeda, Taliban and bomb attacks. President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday felicitated Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy on winning the first-ever Oscar award for Pakistan on her documentary `Saving Face'.
The President in a message appreciated Sharmeen Obaid for highlighting a sensitive topic of acid attacks on women with utmost sensibility and creativity. He said the country's artists had all the potential to thrive and prove their skills in the field of arts and culture. The President lauded Sharmeen for bringing laurels to the country by excelling in film making and sending a message to the world about Pakistan's softer image.
`Saving Face', a 52-minute documentary was given award at the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday. It talks about the plight of women subjected to acid attacks and a doctor who visits Pakistan to treat the victims and give them hope. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was quick to congratulate Obaid-Chinoy, and said she would receive "a high civil award" without specifying which one. Her mother Saba spoke of the family's delight and called on parents to support their daughters in a country where women can be treated as second-class citizens.
"She is very happy. I am proud of my daughter. She has brought happiness for the family and the entire country. It is a great honour," she said. "We all supported Sharmeen in her endeavours and she has made Pakistan proud... I have a message for all fellow Pakistanis to support their daughters because our daughters have immense talent to the country."
In a message read out by her mother, Obaid-Chinoy said she hoped to screen "Saving Face" at schools, colleges and in communities across the country "to spread awareness and promote dialogue in Pakistan". Her 12-year-old brother, Hamza, said he had been up all night watching the Oscars ceremony with the rest of her relatives in Karachi, telling reporters simply that he was "extremely thrilled".
Obaid-Chinoy was born in 1978 and raised in the southern port city. She received a bachelors degree from Smith College and went on to complete two masters degrees from Stanford University. Fellow Pakistani documentary filmmaker and multi-media expert, Musadiq Sanwal, said the prize was recognition of the fact that Pakistan was gaining a voice of its own in international culture.
"Sharmeen's documentary and its winning an Oscar shows Pakistan is creating its own narrative and gaining its own voice internationally," Sanwal said. "Earlier, Pakistan had no voice at all to describe its strength and weaknesses, but now such efforts give it emancipation and power."
Marvi Memon, a former lawmaker, who campaigned for tougher penalties for the perpetrators of acid attacks and played a role in the documentary, congratulated the Pakistani director. "I congratulate her. So proud of her," she said simply. Across the country, people were happy, in particular women.
"It is great to see we are full of talent. Every Pakistani should be proud," said Shumaila Azmat, 29, an executive in a private Karachi firm. "What is even more heartening is to see that a Pakistani woman has won an Oscar."