Representing the region
Every year, TIME magazine releases a list of the 100 most influential figures of the year. The annual listicle is divided into five categories ranging from: Pioneers, Artists, Leaders, Icons and Titans. Each figure included has a piece written about them by another significant public figure. This year, the list includes five Middle Eastern influential figures, who are representing the region.
Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed
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The United Arab Emirates’ Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed, was part of the leaders category in the list. The piece was written by Ryan Bohl, a Middle East and North Africa analyst at the geopolitical-risk firm Stratfor. Ryan highlighted the Emirati ruler’s power and strong and influential political decisions.
Mohamed Salah
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Liverpool and Egypt striker, Mohamed Salah made into the Titans section of the magazines list. This comes as no surprise as the 26-year-old is an iconic figure in Egypt and the Arab world, due to his unprecedented achievements in football. The piece about the footballer was written by English comedian and political commentator, John Oliver. In his piece, the late night host wrote:”Mo Salah is a better human being than he is a football player. And he’s one of the best football players in the world.”
He went on to mention Mohamed’s humbleness despite his success and the pressure that comes with being who he is. “Mo is an iconic figure for Egyptians, Scousers and Muslims the world over, and yet he always comes across as a humble, thoughtful, funny man who isn’t taking any of this too seriously.”
Rami Malek
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Another Egyptian on the list is Oscar winning actor, Rami Malek, who was part of the artists The 37-year-old first shot to fame due to his breakthrough role in Mr. Robot. However, it was his portrayal of the legendary Freddie Mercury in the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody that helped him gain international acclaim. His piece for the magazine was written by Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr. who had nothing but good things to say. “He’s understated and kind, complicated and relatable; he’s downright mercurial. Crucially, he’s a good man evolving alongside his potential. As a fan and friend, that’s what I’m particularly proud of.”
Robert highlighted the actor’s backgroud, as Rami was in the US to Egyptian parents: “I contend that his mother Nelly, his father Said, his sister Yasmine and his brother Sami are the foundational pillars to his rise. Mighta just been destiny … more likely it’s yet another testament to hardworking immigrants raising their kids right and pushing our culture toward the light.”
Loujain Alhathloul
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Saudi women’s rights activist, Loujain Alhathloul was one of only two Arab women to make it to the list. Taking a spot in the Icons category, the piece about her was written by the Executive Director of the Middle East and North Africa division of Human Rights Watch, Sarah Leah Whitson, who mentioned how the Saudi people “owe a huge debt of gratitude” to Loujain.
“She was among the first to challenge laws that are out of touch with Saudi Arabia’s young majority population, boldly posting videos of herself driving, running for the country’s first municipal elections to allow women in 2015, and signing the 14,000-strong petition urging an end to restrictions on women’s rights to marry or travel outside the country without a male guardian’s permission.”
Radhya Al-Mutawakel
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Radhya Al-Mutawakel, the other Arab woman on Time’s list also made it to the Icons division. She is a human rights defender and the Yemeni co-founder and chairperson of Mwatana Organisation For Human Rights, an independent organisation working to defend and protect human rights in Yemen. The piece on her was written by former Democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, “When I met Yemeni human-rights defender Radhya Almutawakel last year, just before the Senate’s historic vote to end U.S. support for the Yemen war, I was struck by the clarity she brought to a conflict that too few have noticed.”
“Radhya and her colleagues face risks every day to uncover the human costs of war. For leading this work, Radhya Almutawakel deserves recognition as one of the truly courageous among us.”
Media: Instagram, TIME
