Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, an icon for children’s right to education, has said the people of Pakistan are very hospitable and they always come together especially when faced with a crisis.
“When we became IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) during Swat operation, people were so forthcoming in their support that we hardly ever felt homeless, it is this national resilience that is not commonly known in the outside world,” she said at the launch of her book at the prestigious Oxford Union on Saturday.
Joining the ranks of Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and many other legends who have spoken at Oxford Union, she gave credit to her parents for inspiring her to struggle for the girls’ right to education. She thanked the people from around the world for showing solidarity with her cause.
“You only realise the importance of something when it is denied, as happened in Swat. Therefore, people all over the world must come together to realise the universal right to education in oppressed societies,” said the most favourite nominee of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
During the panel interview, which was attended by a jam-packed audience of Oxford University students and academics, Malala also highlighted the importance of peace and education in Islam and Pashtun culture.
Malala said Islam is a peaceful religion. She said “Islam teaches us to be kind towards others. We greet others by saying Assalam-Alaikum, which means may you be in peace. Our grand father always reminded us of the Quranic verse that killing one human is like killing all of humanity.”
Islam, she added, gives special importance to education.
“The first verse of the Holy Quran to be revealed started with the word ‘Iqra’, meaning ‘learn’. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) said that seek knowledge even in China. These are the values which we learn at home, school and from elders in Pakistan.”
Ziauddin Yousafzai, Malala’s father who sat besides her on the occasion, said that contrary to common perception, the desire for peace and education is well-rooted in Pashtun culture.
“We must emulate the enlightened creed of Pashtun icons like Khushal Khan Khattack and Baacha Khan, who taught us the virtue of humanity and knowledge,” he said. “That is why poor families would sell jewellery and whatever little land they have to educate their sons and daughters,” he added when asked about his experience of running a school in Swat.
Malala said that her focus will now be on her studies. “Although I miss my school and friends back home, but it is a great learning experience at my school in Birmingham, where we are also taught a great deal about Islam,” she added.
On the occasion, she was awarded Honorary Membership of Oxford Union, which was once presided over by Benazir Bhutto.
Edited by: M Ahmad Tauqir
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