Malala, the inspiration

EDITORIAL : Daily Times

A lot has happened since the real daughter of Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai, was shot in the head on October 9, 2012 in a Taliban assassination attempt. Her crime was nothing more than going to school and vocally propagating for female education in the troubled area of Mingora, Swat, where the Taliban have been defying the writ of the state and making the citizens’ lives miserable. Fighting for her life, she not only recovered with the aid of doctors at home and in the UK where she currently resides, she has become a global ambassador for peace, education rights and fighting against extremist ideology. Now, on the day of her 16th birthday on Friday, July 12, this year, the brave young girl did what few can ever dream of: she spoke of her ordeal, mission to campaign for education rights and her hopes and passions on the world’s stage at the United Nations Youth Assembly where prominent world leaders and over 1,000 students from all over the globe sat in awe and listened to the true voice of the Pakistani people. Bringing tears to the eyes of all those in attendance and the many millions who watched her on their television screens at home, Malala thanked everyone who had supported her and aided in her recovery. She spoke of equality of every man, woman and child before God and how education was not just a right but a duty for everyone, irrespective of their beliefs. Even though the UN commemorated Friday as Malala Day, the young girl adamantly declared that it was “not my day” but a day for every woman and girl struggling for their rights. Little Malala looked the participants in the eye and confidently told them that every person on earth deserved a chance but that could never happen with half the population — girls — being held back. Her charm and youthful idealism resonated amongst everyone at the UN that day when she told them to stop wars, which prevent women and children from educating themselves and living their lives to their full potential, making them domestic slaves and bonded labour. However, what really stood out was Malala’s compassion and faith in the human spirit. She told us that she held no hard feelings against the Taliban, even the one who tried to take her life, and that she wished for the children of the Taliban — the extremists who wanted to see her dead — to be educated and enlightened too. Truly, Malala has no bitterness in her heart and no agenda for vengeance against the Taliban. Her genuinely forgiving spirit and the defiance with which she stared death in the eye has made her a beacon of hope for many, particularly the young girls in not just Pakistan but the world also, who have been denied access to their fundamental right to education and progress. The fight is far from over though for both Malala and the world, particularly in countries where militants have their stranglehold over the people. Pakistan did celebrate World Malala Day in small pockets where girls in troubled areas demanded education for all, but we still have a long way to go. The UN is just a stepping stone for the young ambassador and her struggle to emancipate the young women in her home country will need the support and help of the government and policy makers who still see fit to hold negotiations with the Taliban. We must all be Malalas, striving to better the lot of the people and bring Pakistan alongside the world in matters of progress and enlightenment.