“I want education for the sons and daughters of the Taliban and all the terrorists and extremists. I do not even hate the Talib who shot me. Even if there is a gun in my hand and he stands in front of me I would not shoot him.”
Let there be no doubt that Malala and her friends are not child soldiers. They are youth icons. They did not wield guns or bombs but pen and microphone. They did not stand for violence and barbarism but for peace, education and enlightenment. There is absolutely no comparison between the Taliban — and the JI — using Pakistani youth as jihadist cannon fodder and an upright Ziauddin Yousafzai bringing up his bright young daughter in the best traditions of nonviolence. Malala did not advocate or participate in war. She stood witness to the worst atrocities that the JI’s cohorts perpetrated in Malakand. And unlike those who cannot even admire a gifted child except in a backhanded manner, she did so honestly.
Malala, who is only 14 years old, became a symbol of hope for the youth, particularly girls who are not allowed to study or pursue their dreams. Malala was perhaps an ordinary girl hailing from the valley of Swat, but what she was trying to do was not ordinary. She was fortunate to have the support of her family and that is what kept her going. Millions of girls around Pakistan are not given the same treatment by their families and are not allowed to study. Malala is the hope and inspiration not only for all those girls but also for their families.
Malala was doing a noble job. She wanted all girls to get educated. This was her dream and yet she is being accused of being a media or NGO stooge. This is almost as outrageous as the attack on her life. I believe that all those rightwingers who are building up allegations against her are afraid of the unified stance taken by the whole nation against the mentality that wanted her dead.
By: Voice of Karachi Blog
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