Malala is a brave and gentle advocate of peace who through the simple act of going to school became a global teacher with her courage and determination. Malala has shown what terrorists fear most: a fire with a book — UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s words of appreciation for her.
Malala Yousafzai, the daughter of Pakistan, has had to sacrifice her childhood and face bullets for basic human rights of getting education and who continue to be brave and smart in her belief that with education, the world is limitless for women. Malala believes in the power of women. Pakistan International Human Rights organisation supported Malala for her cause and gave her award in 2011 on International Human Rights Day and today we are thankful for her message and promoting her cause of education in Pakistan. In addition, Malala was also nominated for International Children’s Peace Prize in 2011, and was awarded Pakistan’s National Youth Peace Prize.
In October 2012, on her way home she was injured in an attack by terrorists that left her in critical condition. The entire world stood with her and prayed for her. She gave a speech at the United Nations on her 16th birthday in 2013. She has also written an autobiography “I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by Taliban” in 2013. Despite the Taliban’s threats Malala Yousufzai remains a staunch advocate for the power of education.
On October 10, 2013, in acknowledgment of her work, the European Parliament awarded Malala Yousafzia Sakharov prize for freedom of thought.
In Oct 2014, Malala Yousafzai received the Nobel Peace Prize. At the age of 17, she became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Prize. While congratulating her, PM Nawaz Sharif said: “She is the pride of Pakistan, she has made her countrymen proud. Her achievement is unparalleled and unequaled. Girls and boys of the world should take the lead from her struggle and commitments.”
Malala Yousafzai has conveyed to the people around the world with her passion and determination to make sure girls everywhere should get education.
AMNA MALIK
Islamabad
