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14-year-old emerges as role model for Pakistani girls
She spoke out against Taliban when few dared
By Javed Aziz Khan
2011-11-29
PESHAWAR – When Malala Yusafzai, then 11, started blogging against the Taliban under the pen name of Gul Makai in February 2009, she didn’t know her writing would earn her international fame and make her a role model for other Pakistani girls.
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![Malala Yusafzai works on her computer at home in Mingora, Swat, November 24. She was nominated for an international peace award and won a national prize. [Javed Khan]](/shared/images/2011/11/29/pakmalala.jpg)
Malala Yusafzai works on her computer at home in Mingora, Swat, November 24. She was nominated for an international peace award and won a national prize. [Javed Khan]
Her blogging on the BBC Urdu site was dangerous, and she was forced to stop after only a week when her family fled Swat. But the risk paid off when a Dutch organisation, KidsRights, recognised her bravery and leadership by nominating her for the International Children's Peace Prize in late October.
“I was so excited when I learned about my nomination. ... I want to bring laurels for my country as well as for the Pashtun nation in the future,” Malala, now an 8th-grader at a private school in Mingora, Swat, said.
The prize ultimately went to a disabled 17-year-old South African girl, Michaela Mycroft, but Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani awarded Malala the Pakistani National Peace Prize November 24, making her the first child to be so honoured. Gilani also ordered the cabinet to give the award annually to deserving children.
Gilani announced a Rs. 500,000 (US $5,700) cash prize for Malala – an amount that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti matched.
“The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government appreciates the bravery of Malala in the fight against terrorism,” Hoti said.
Political ambitions
Now 14, Malala plans an active role in Pakistani politics after she completes her higher education. She has already started her journey by being elected speaker of the Children’s Assembly, a forum organised by UNICEF and the Khpal Kor Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.
“I want to become an honest, committed and hard-working politician as our country badly needs such political leaders,” she said. Awards such as the ones she won from the government will encourage more girls to contribute to society, Malala said. “It was not easy to speak at a time when the Taliban were in power, but I decided to speak louder for the rights of girls,” she said.
“This little voice chose to speak against barbarism at a time when stronger voices preferred to stay quiet,” Delawar Jan, a journalist covering Malakand Division, said.
However, since she is now a public figure and role model for youth, many are becoming concerned for her safety in Swat, where militants claim they are re-emerging.
During their two-year reign of terror in Swat, the Taliban bombed more than 400 schools, banned girls from attending classes and publicly flogged women for minor crimes. They also banned teachers from educating girls in Swat and the rest of Malakand Division.
KidsRights praises Malala
“Malala is a brave ... girl from Pakistan who fights for the right for education, especially for girls. During extreme Talibanisation in the Swat Valley, where she lives (from 2003-2009), this was prohibited,” KidsRights’ website said.
“When the Taliban banned girls (sic) education, she raised her voice through the national and international media,” the website continued. “She became an inspiring icon for the right of children – and in particular that of girls – to education. All this happened when she was only 11 years old. She wrote a blog for the BBC Urdu during the most dangerous period of Taliban rule and volunteered to be on two documentaries by the New York Times.”
Nominated for the Children's Peace Prize, Malala and four other nominees beat 93 contestants from 42 countries to become finalists.
Malala committed to education
“In Pashtun history, the name of Malala is the symbol of sacrifice. She is a brave girl who wrote against terrorists when prominent writers were silent,” said Mian Iftikhar Hussain, KP information minister. “May we have many more Malala-like girls.”
Malala was not even a teenager in February 2009 when the Taliban banned girls’ schooling in Swat and the rest of Malakand. But she was committed to continuing her education.
“I was so scared while going to school. ... They (the Taliban) say that they are avenging the (troops’) operation against the Jamia Hafsa (madrassa) and Lal Masjid (Red Mosque in Islamabad), but what is our (students’) fault in this?” she blogged for BBC Urdu on February 21, 2009.
“Since peace has returned to Swat, we want the destroyed educational institutions to be reconstructed so all those deprived of the education or others taking their classes in tents could get their schools back,” Malala said.
“I have to get an education at all costs, even if I don’t find any place to sit,” the young girl vowed in a local TV video aired February 18, 2009.
Malala's determination to get an education extends to all young girls.
“I want all the girls to get a higher education to play their role in the society,” she said. “The government should establish more schools and colleges for the females.”
After a week, Gul Makai stopped posting blog entries when she and her family fled Swat. They lived for three months in Shangla, after a long journey through Nowshera, Haripur and Mansehra.
Father inspired Malala
Ziauddin Yusafzai, the proud father of Malala, who runs a private school and college in Mingora, was the real source of inspiration for Malala. He not only allowed his daughter to go for education but also encouraged her to venture out of the house.
“I am thankful to the prime minister and Chief Minister Hoti for acknowledging the contribution of Malala. She is not only my daughter, but she is the daughter of the nation,” said Ziauddin, who, overriding opposition from many of his relatives and neighbours, encouraged Malala at every stage.
Despite some concerns for her safety, Malala is continuing to campaign for the right of girls to be educated, and is calling to close the gap between regular schools and madrassas.
“There is a huge gap between the regular schools and seminaries,” she told a privately owned TV channel. “The government needs to take steps so the regular modern education would also be imparted to the students of seminaries to bring them in the mainstream.”
Militants misused Islam’s good name for their own agenda, she asserted.
“The people of Swat love Islam; that is why they were deceived by the militants,” she said, demanding punishment for the leadership of the Swat militants who plunged the area into years of misery.
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Children play in the fountain at Ala-Too Square in Bishkek May 20. Temperatures have been hovering around 23-25 degrees Celsius in the area. [Ulan ...
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Reader Comments
Kanwar
People had voted for change. Now the new Government in the country will bring the change. They had performed good in the past, for sure the will perform well now too. PML N Zindabad, Pakistan Zindabad. The corrept people has been packed by the people. This time superior court has played a ver...
Young voters bring energy to Pakistani electionaamirjoyia
We need more vote for Pakistan and it is possible with education, there is no meaning of Pakistan other than reading and writing
Pakistani democracy defeats Talibantariq lodi
the resolve shown by pakistani people against terrorism is commendable as exhibited by them in the elections by taking part overwhemingly.
TTP, HT election opposition un-Islamic, ulema say
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Reader Comments
Pakistan needs such kind of bold youth so that we can achieve Quaid’s Pakistan, Salem
news about her friend were been injured and complete information
we r praying 4 u every time. may God always bless u> we r proud of u. get well soon.
This all is scheme of infidels and we are crazy that we have started hyping tune of Malala Malala and ignored blasphemous film about our prophet [peace be upon him] media dog media dog media dog
are you suare this is your ragiht ritten beacuse islam is right path what you thing
malala is a brave girl
U R GREATE
Brave Malala is a symbol of STRUGLE for Education. Afghan Taliban attacked on her due to their ignorance with the help of Foreign Power Help i.e. America/Afghanistan and Indian. Anyhow We all the Pakistanies pray to Almighty Allah for the betterment of her Health.
this is the time for pakistan and afghani people that we are no more separate nations but muslims and the people of one territoary
She is a braved girl and she want to encouraging girls education in Pakistan may Allah blessing her..
i pray for u and i make party and his name is we want pece and many of students join and i registerd after my study complete
AY binte Muslim, U r a proud of Pakistan.
My sister Mala all Pakistani ation is with you get up and continue with your struggle for education for girls in pakistan we pray for your health
Sweet daughter Mlala I read your life history I feel you are not lucky but your perants are lucky they have a brilliant daughter it is trueDeth is the most coward thing in world it must come on fix time because I beleve time fixed from God Almighty dont vary and thanks God forever I feel apawerful injection for save your mind. your truely Lover Mamoo
Pakistan never wants Afghan people to have their own characters. Let alone when an Afghan girl became a role model for Pakistani girls and wanted to...
really a model child for the whole Islamic world.
“I want all the girls to get a higher education to play their role in the society,” she said. “The government should establish more schools and colleges for the females.” with best wishes
she is muslim girl. she love s islam.she was demanding for girls education.so what s wrong.she is brave girl pl pray for her.God bless u malala.
Malala, do not lose your courage and determination after Taliban attack. May Allah keep you happy forever.!
its good artical its good job mala
great!
malala what are you ..............................
nobody will be allowed to destroy the true face of Pakistan mala is identity of the pakistan mala is brave child mala heart of the pakistani people may allah give recovery of health the mala pakistani sister mala zinda bad thanks
May ALLAH always be with u and may u recover to show the world that strenght to face all odds is a gift
Hello! I am from Iran and a lover of Malala. I created a weblog to support Malala. I hope she get well and come to Iran, so that we can get married.
malala proved the pakistan
Attack on Malala is condemnable, but what was the crime of 3000 innocent girls who were martyred in Lal Masjid? Let the media, military and judiciary answer this question.
i love you malala. all the girls wants to be like you............... you are a brave girl malala. i am always with you..............
you really a pakistani girl
the pakistani nation is very impressed with the bravery of this beautiful girl will pray to god for her better health
Well done my dear we all are proud of you GOD bless you in every stage of life:)
Allah is able to do all things.Inshala God will protect to Mlala.She is daughter,s of nation.She is the brave daughter of nation.Our prayer with him every time.
malah you are the best girl in the whole world
today i listen you r injurd its v sad news for us.but insha allah u r recover your injuri.lot of love for u my lil sister. carry on .......................GOD bless you
she is a intersting girl.
I was shocked as I heard the news. Praise to you, Malala. The young generation stands next to you. May God help you.
I solute my younger sister Malala ,having such a great courage towards fighting against terrorism & motivating youth to provide educational & skilled daughters of the nation best of luck Malala , Allah will help you ......... keep going
malala u r great. u r doing great job. may Allah give u long life.........................,we solute our younger sister............................,hats of u..........................,
Nice article but has not ended in a prayer for Mamala. Let us all pray for her quick and perfect recovery.
They just killed her ...
she is a brave girl indeed!!!!!!
Today is a black day for all pakistanis as malala was shot in head when she was coming back home. taliban movement accepted the claim as well.im concerned about her life because she is in serious condition and i pray for her life.we all love our brave sister malala....... i also want to mention here that she spoke many times against taliban so why our government didnt provide her safety!!!! in my view they are all responsible of todays incidence....)))))
she don,t know.she choose a right way.but in pakistan there have no respect for like these people........may ALLAH soon recover her wound..
this iss good for muslim in pakistan and other countries
This is awosom malala! i pary for you that Allah may give you the strenth of becoming a truthful leader in the future if it is in good of pakistan and specialy for you. Regards: Salman Akbar
let me clarify that all the articles,columns published in her name were written by her father and not by her.
I solute my younger sister Malala ,having such a great courage towards fighting against terrorism & motivating youth to provide educational & skilled daughters of the nation best of luck Malala , Allah will help you ......... keep going on.......... :)))))
only education, free from loyalty towards any thought can bring happiness in this world.
Malala, good luck girl! May Allah give you long life!
Malala is the rolemodel for all the girls who are living in such areas where they are not given their rights. Through malala columns she is taking pledge to change the misery of her people .she is very courgeous girl that she is continously running compaign for the right of girls to be educated despite of the threats she is getting from different millitants .may god bless hes and you might achieve your goal . stay blessed
Great!
Malala, Muslim Umma needs daughters like you.
Article written by Malala Yousafzai is good and and an ideal for Pakistani young girls and boys. But my question is how she made it possible to work against the Taliban in a time when they were ruling the area.
we much promote this type of human being who raise theirs voice this is the right of all in any society to get education for which Malala is fighting Thanks Allah may help all to get and practice education Ameen
I pray to Allah that may He give him success in his mission. Amen
Its a good Article . I like it .
May Allah bless you all. You are doing a great job.
What special work has this girl done? With whom has she fought? I think her work is not as significant as you have written.
Malala is a great fighter. I wish her success.
Malala is not a geniune Pakhtoon because a Pakhtoon girl can't do such a thing, this is condemnable for Pakhtoon nation and for Islam too.
Malala is a brave girl, she is like Benazir, a daughter of her nation. Let God bless her with health, happiness and long life. As a mother, I pray for her safety and well-being in life.
She is working for her family and country and I am sure she will fulfill her dreams. She is our asset.
great , i have no more word for malala. best of luck
she is realy a brave girl. i like her bravery. her bravery is like a canndle light in terrorist affected pakistan. do you also intrested in politics. then contect me
she is brave and has briliant futur mind for aspecishly for girls educatio so Please lead her in ivery field of her life and government should take some steps for her personal security .its my hearty pray to God that Blessed her in her life.
It is a good idea for both boys and girls.
Its real appreciated her efforts in the tribal areas of Pakistan. May Allah bless her and gives all kind of success and happiness of life. I always pray for her .
Hello to all. I am proud of her and her family but don't mind if you send my words to her father, I'll be grateful. Actually I want to merry her and I wana talk to her father about my wish that I want to live my life with her. My only wish is to merry her because she is the most noble girl in our country.
we are with you in every stage of life, either in happieness or in danger. you have to continue for your struggle against this culture and aware all the girls; not only of khyber pakhtoonkhwa but of all world to get education and be a successful human being. you have not written an essay but u have drawn the lines on the stone, which will lead we people (PAKISTAN) as a successful nation. Malala you have to continue your study as will as politics but I advice you that you have a great responsiblity that you will have to be truthfull, honest and trustworthy, you will be succeed Inshallah, but if you fail in your mission then ther will be a great loss of "PAKHTOON DAUGHTERS". I hope that you will be successful always INSHALLAH in every field of life. i also pray that GOD will bring those days nearly in future that PAKHTOON wll repeat his own story and rule over the WORLD. Also pray for ARFA KARIM RANDHAWA eldest girl of the world in software, who died last day. OOH GOD! SUCCESS MUSLIMS AS WERE HAZRAT UMAR FAROOQ (R.A) and HAZRAT ALI (R.A) GOD SUCCESS ME IN MY MISSION
like this chield power of ISLAM and PAKISTAN.
she is working for her famely and his country, i hope she will complete her dreams,she will be a noble ladyb of our country.
I personely appricate her efforts for trabuel area of Pakistan. May God bless more sucess and happines in life. I pray for her health
Every person has rights and freedoms from birth. You are doing a good job, and everything will work out fine for you. I will pray for you.
A brave girl yet to be seen in Pakistan. Truly a brave girls where ever she stays God will protect her and some day she will bring good name for Pakistan. We are proud of you, try to write more about these fruitless people, jahanami people giving bad name to Islam
good luck malal
This is a big achievment for Malala and our nation. May Allah give her success.
Well done MALALA i pray for you.
i love my country and muslims
hi malala sister i want to great fetuer for u i bliss for u all time
the easy written by malala yousaf zai is very good and a lesson and guid way to youngest Pakistani boys and girls but my question is that how it was possible to work out against Taliban during the hot operation against them in swat valley and how she monitored all the activities of taliban in the valley.
why education is important for grils????
b'coze she writs agents taliban
I hope Allah gives all of us the kind of courage Malala has shown against terrorism - and all sorts of evils. I'm proud of you, we all are. May God bless you.
it s proved Pakistani talent
I solute my younger sister Malala. This is a great achievement and honour for Malala and nation. May God help her,, give her long life & make her success in future..AAmiN.
Great, al least someone tried to speak up.
hye u nice really good well congrates at all
education for girls
Why education is important.
Such deep thinking student is a blessing for the country.She will motivate others.Preahing only is not going to change the wrongs.But DOING some thing will.I am proud ofMalala and pray for her success in life.
I solute my younger sister Malala ,having such a great courage towards fighting against terrorism & motivating youth to provide educational & skilled daughters of the nation best of luck Malala , Allah will help you ......... keep going on.......... :)))))
Malala! You are doing a great job! I have grandchildren your age, and they live and study in a relaxed atmosphere ... I told them about you. I wish you and your country health and happiness, and well-being and peace! May Allah protect you.
thanks
this is a great achievement and honour for Malala and nation, who speaks for others. Well done and best of luck.
A brave girl yet to be seen in Pakistan. Truly a brave girls where ever she stays God will protect her and some day she will bring good name for Pakistan. We are proud of you, try to write more about these fruitless people, jahanami people giving bad name to Islam