Zahid Makhdoom

Zahid Makhdoom is a Judicial Justice in the Provincial Courts of BC (appointed 1996). Prior to that he was a social justice activist in his homeland of Pakistan, and fled because his views on democracy and secularism earned him the wrath of the state. Upon arrival in North America, he advocated for First Nations communities in the United States and Canada before his judicial appointment. Judge Makhdoom has been a long-time supporter of the arts, and as President of the Hari Sharma Foundation, disburses grants to advance the work of South Asian artists and arts organisations in Vancouver. He has attended and supported Indian Summer Festival since its inception, and has on occasion, billeted or hosted ISF artists at his home. He is a jazz fan and has served on the board of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival (Coastal Jazz and Blues Society) for many years.