From icons to leaders and innovators to pioneers, Arab minds have been at the forefront of some of the world’s leading inventions and movements. Now is the time to celebrate our regions’ most influential people, and allow the next generation of Arabs to be inspired. It’s one thing to see a familiar face make it to the Times’ 100 Most Influential People list – it’s another when those names have Arab roots.<\/p>\n
Nasrin Sotoudeh <\/strong><\/p>\n ‘Nasrin Sotoudeh is an exemplary Iranian woman and lawyer\u00a0who for years has been struggling to restore\u00a0women\u2019s rights.’<\/p>\n The prominent lawyer has become an icon for female liberation in her home country and even in the region, where gender equality can still sometimes be seen as a far-away fantasy. Sotoudeh not only advocates for women, but has also defended and spoken up for juveniles who had received a death sentence, and succeeded on many occasions. She had been sentenced to prison several times because of the work she does, and yet that hasn’t stopped her from fighting for those who needed it most. Last year, a documentary film based on her remarkable life was released for the world to see her life’s work and mission. It is women like Sotoudeh that we are indebted to for being able to enjoy our basic freedoms.<\/p>\n\n