Born: 1967 (Iraqi Kurdistan, Iraq)
Biography:
Sara Mohammad, born in 1967, is an Iraqi Kurdish-born Swedish human rights activist and pharmacist. Her life has been marked by resilience and a determination to bring about change in the face of adversity. At just 17 years old, Sara had to make a difficult decision – to flee her home and leave behind her planned child marriage. Threatened by her own brother, who held a Kalashnikov rifle to her head, she sought refuge in Sweden as a quota refugee in 1993, one day before the scheduled wedding.
Having experienced firsthand the horrors of child marriage, Sara Mohammad became a fierce advocate against honor killings and honor-related violence. In 2002, after the tragic murder of Fadime Şahindal in Uppsala, she founded GAPF, which stands for Glöm Aldrig Pela och Fadime or Never Forget Pela and Fadime. This organization has been instrumental in campaigning against honor killings and raising awareness about the issue. Sara, through her work with GAPF, has contributed significantly to the fight against honor-related violence in both Kurdistan and Sweden.
Sara’s bold and unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of girls and young women compelled her to establish GAPF in 2001. The organization has since collaborated closely with Swedish authorities and the administration of Östergötland to combat honor-related violence, forced marriage, and female genital mutilation. Their combined efforts have strengthened initiatives to prevent these forms of violence and protect vulnerable individuals.
In recognition of her extraordinary efforts, Linköping University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences awarded Sara Mohammad an honorary doctorate in March 2017. Her fearless commitment to the rights of girls and young women, as well as her relentless struggle to prevent female genital mutilation, were key factors in receiving this prestigious honor. It is a testament to the impact of her work and the recognition she has garnered within the academic community.
Sara Mohammad is not just a brave advocate for human rights; she is also an outspoken critic of Islamism and the use of the hijab. Her courage extends beyond her work with GAPF and into her public stance on these issues. She has frequently challenged Swedish feminists and politicians for what she perceives as a lack of effort in fighting for the rights of Muslim immigrants, often citing fear of being accused of racism as a barrier to their advocacy.
Despite her tireless efforts, Sara Mohammad remains critical of the situation in Sweden. She believes that the reported cases of honor-related violence are merely the tip of the iceberg, with much more going unnoticed. She highlights the alarming trend of increasing restrictions placed on girls and women, even starting at a young age. Sara points out the distressing practice of forcing little girls in daycare to wear headscarves to cover their hair, thus sexualizing them at a young age.
Sara Mohammad’s journey from a young girl facing a forced child marriage to a prominent human rights advocate is a testament to her strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to fighting for the rights and protection of girls and women. Her work with GAPF and her outspoken criticism of prevailing attitudes and practices demonstrate her dedication to challenging oppressive cultural norms and creating a safer and more equitable world.
Awards:
– Honorary Doctorate from Linköping University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences for her fearless commitment to the rights of girls and young women and her work to prevent female genital mutilation. (2017)