MQM (Muttahida Quami Movement) officially celebrated Malala Day at their political centre called nine-zero. Photograph by Sohaib Bin Riaz
15 year old Malala Yousafzai was shot on 9th October 2012 by members of TTP (Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) because she was a fearless activist of girl education in Swat. Malala is slowly recovering to a normal life like other teenage girls of her age. She is not totally out of danger, and a complete recovery will take sometime.
Petition For Nobel Peace Prize
A petition has been placed by a Pakistani-British woman living in Birmingham, Shaida Choudry, to nominate Malala Yousufzai for a Nobel Prize. Nominating Malala for a Nobel prize can be achieved if ‘national politicians’ take interest. Shaida Choudry wants William Hague, David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband to go forward with this task.
Till now more than a hundred thousand people have signed her petition, with the reasoning behind the nomination clearly explained:
A Nobel Peace Prize for Malala will send a clear message that the world is watching and will support those who stand up for gender equality and universal human rights, including the right to education for girls.
The #Malala hashtag has been shared by more than five thousand people over twitter. The #Nobel4Malala hashtag has been shared by approximately nine hundred people just in nine days. Expressing her reason for signing the petition, Farina Alam writes:
…Malala gives me hope
Stephen Furlong comments:
“Such bravery and belief at such a young age should be recognised and serve as an inspiration and as a beacon of hope to people young and old across the world”
Celebrating Malala Day
The United Nations announced the 10th of November (Saturday) as Malala Day. People around the world celebrated Malala as a beacon for 32 million girls who can not go to school. In Pakistan, demonstrations in support of Malala were held in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. This day was celebrated in more than 100 countries across the globe.
But in Malala’s hometown open house events couldn’t be organized because of the fear of possible terrorist attack.
The UN special envoy on global education growth, Gordon Brown was in Pakistan on Friday (9th November) in order to discuss the future of girls education in Pakistan. Speaking to AFP, he said that a country cannot prosper if only 2% of the economic budget is spent on education. More has to be done to change this distressful situation.
Kainat – Malala’s friend who was with her during the attack- said that she’s still terrified and cries whenever that incident comes in her mind. Unfortunately, no celebration took place in Swat due to possible terrorist threats.
To express her love for Malala, 11 years old girl, Bushra Siddique, writes on her blog:
In my view Malala is the ray of light and hope for Pakistan. May Allah Save Her!
Twitter Response
Salman Ahmed tweets:
@sufisal: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” ― Aristotle#Malala Day
Somuya Singh tweets:
@soumyasinghs: #Pakistan marks Malala Day.. Poor#children will get cash if they’ll attend school… Just hope they actually go nd#learn something..
Ali Salman Alvi comments that the Terrorists apologists are trying to belittle Malala’s act of valour:
@alisalmanalvi: On social media it was Malala vs Al-Qaeda & Co (its apologists) on Malala Day. #Pakistan
Written by Kumail Ahmed
