Fearless Malala
“Who is Malala? He demanded, no one said anything, but several of the girls on the bus looked at me. I was the only girl without my face covered. That was when he lifted up a black pistol. Some of the girls screamed, my friend Moniba told me that I squeezed her hand. My friend said that he fired three shots, one after another. The first gun shot went through my left eye socket and out my left shoulder. I slumped forward onto Moniba as blood came out of my left ear. By the time we got to the hospital my long hair and Moniba’s lap were full of blood” (Yousafzai 9). Words from Malala herself, quoted from her memoir, “I am Malala.” At the time of this incident, Malala Yousafzai was a fourteen year old girl from Pakistan. She was shot at point blank range by a Taliban gunman on a school bus in 2012 for going against the Islamic system, as seen by the Taliban. What she was really doing was speaking out for equal rights education. Malala did not die that day on the bus and is still working today to accomplish her goal of equal education rights. She will not let the Taliban scare her into giving up on her dreams.
Malala was not “shot down” by the personal attack; she had and still has a passion and a vision. She wants every child in the world to have the opportunity to be educated because it is a basic right. Pakistan is among the countries with the highest populations of illiteracy. This is because according to the Taliban, women should not be educated. The Taliban are Islamic extremists, many things that they believe are not believed by other Muslims. Many people from Pakistan believe in equal education for all people. One person in particular is Malala’s father, Ziauddin. He is a teacher that started a school for both boys and girls in their home area of Swat, where education has been banned by the Taliban. Because of his efforts in striving for equal education, “Malala’s father was a target for the Taliban. Malala soon became a target then after speaking out about women’s’ equality for education. Malala had a blog on BBC where she would post her concerns for education” (Oldman). The Yousafzai family was fully aware that Ziauddin was in danger of a Taliban attack but they never imagined that the terrorists would diberately seek out and target a young girl.
Many people have an extreme fear for the Taliban, and of these people who fear the Taliban have not been personally attacked like Malala has. People have this fear of terrorists because they are known for using violent threats and even physical harm to get gain control over citizens. Even after having a personal experience with the Taliban, Malala says, “I admit I am a little scared of a ghost, but the Taliban, not at all” (Wright). Sometimes Malala feels unsafe when she goes places, but she won't let her own feelings stop her. When she gets those feelings she says to herself, “Malala you have already faced death. This is your second life. Don’t be afraid, if you are afraid then you cannot move forward” (Yousafzai 308). She will not let anything stand in her way. Malala has to believe in herself to achieve her dream of returning to her home. People all around the world have heard Malala's story and can't believe that she isn't backing down. She has many people standing behind her supporting her, but at the same time some people doubt that she will ever be able to move back to her hometown of Swat without being killed.
Today, Malala lives in Birmingham with her mother, father, and two brothers. She still hasn't returned to her house since the day of the shooting. “At the moment it looks as if it is too dangerous to return to Pakistan. Malala is living in Great Britain and attending school. She has dreams of returning home in pursite of a positive impact on the future of the country” (Wright). Malala understands that the Taliban will not stop until she is dead, but as of now she is continuing her education, "She needs to fight the Taliban with knowledge and dialogue; otherwise she will be just like them. After she works hard and becomes more powerful she will go back to Pakistan, inshallah (God willing)." Malala proclaimed, ‘I have already seen death and I know that death is supporting me in my cause for education. Death does not want to kill me’” (Oldman). She has conquered death once. If she dies fighting for woman’s rights then she has died with honor, and there is no shame in that.
Malala has become widely known and looked at as a hero since the Taliban attack, but she doesn’t want the attack to define her life. “I don’t want to be thought of as the girl that was shot by the Taliban, but the girl who fought for education. This is the cause to which I want to devote my life." Malala is much more than this poor girl that was shot. She has big dreams and a heart for education. (Yousafzai 313). Since the attack, she has spoken out about her goal, “I speak for the education of every child, in every corner of the world. There has been discrimination in our society it must be defeated. We women are going to bring change and we are speaking out for all women’s rights” (Oldman). This young leader is not going unnoticed, she has written a book and receives much attention today even after two years since that bus ride.
Malala has been given numerous awards for her bravery and inspiration. She has been awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom and Thought which honors individuals who have struggled prejudice and oppression. She also has won the International Children’s Peace Prize in 2013. This prize is awarded to a child who has had a substantial role in promoting children’s rights and improving the condition of vulnerable kids. Malala was named the Ambassador of Conscience 2013. This award is given representing someone who shows extraordinary leadership in the fight to promote human privileges. One other prize Malala has received is the Anna Politkovskaya Award. This is granted to a woman who is a human rights defender and stands up even at one’s own threat. On Malala’s sixteenth Birthday it was announced by the United Nations as Malala Day (Felden). Malala is grateful by all these dedications to her, but her vision has only just begun. Malala points out in her book, “When I received prizes for my work in school I was happy, as I worked hard for them, but these prizes are different. I am grateful for them, but they only remind me how much work still needs to be done to achieve the goal of education for every girl and boy” (Yousafzai 309). These awards inspire her to move forward in her aspirations. Malala’s name is becoming more familiar from her survival legend and she continues to demonstrate passion and determination inspiring others to never give up on their dreams.
Sixteen year old Malala Yousafzai is an outstanding leader. She does not let obstacles prevent achievements and she does not let what she knows is unfair pass her by. She takes action on unjust rule and stands up for what she believes in. She was even gunned down by the most notorious terrorist group in the world. That still hasn’t stopped her. He has shown undeniable strength and perseverance after coming back from her critical injuries. She has been honored with multiple awards and has written a bestselling book. She is simply fearless. A quote from Malala's father Ziauddin Yousafzai, “Trust your daughters, they are faithful. Honor your daughters, they are honorable, and educate your daughters, they are amazing” (Oldman).
Works Cited
2. Lamb, Christian. Yousafzai, Malala. "I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban." New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company, October 2013. p. 1-9 &306-313. Print.
4. Wright, Gilliam. "The Girl Who Dared: Malala Yousafzai, the fearless frontier girl who took on the Taliban." indiatoday.in. web. November 1, 2013.
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