OTTAWA: Many world leaders paid tribute to Malala Yousufzai on Friday after it was announced that she had been awarded Nobel Peace Prize, but Canadian Prime Minister offered the “ultimate praise” by declaring that she would be granted citizenship of his country.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that Malala would visit Ottawa on Oct 22 and that she would be granted an honorary citizenship of Canada.
She is only the sixth person to receive honorary Canadian citizenship.
For his part, US President Barack Obama hailed the “passion and determination” of Malala.
Know more: Malala Yousafzai, Kailash Satyarthi win Nobel Peace Prize
“At just 17 years old, Malala Yousufzai has inspired people around the world” with her efforts to ensure all girls can get an education, Mr Obama said in a statement.
“When the Taliban tried to silence her, Malala answered their brutality with strength and resolve,” he said, adding that he and his wife Michelle were “awe-struck by her courage” after a meeting in the Oval Office last year.
President Obama said the honour bestowed upon Malala “reminds us of the urgency of their work to protect the rights and freedoms of all our young people”.
The US leader noted that the two laureates come from different countries, religions and generations but “share an unyielding commitment to justice and an unshakeable belief in the basic dignity of every girl and boy”. “Even as we celebrate their achievements, we must recommit ourselves to the world that they seek — one in which our daughters have the right and opportunity to get an education; and in which all children are treated equally,” he said.
Our correspondent adds: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Malala and described her as “a daughter of the United Nations”.
“Malala is a brave and gentle advocate of peace who through the simple act of going to school became a global teacher. She said one pen can change the world and proved how one young woman can lead the way,” he said in a statement.
“With her courage and determination, Malala has shown what terrorists fear most: a girl with a book,” he added.
“Malala is a daughter of the United Nations, from participating in Unicef events years ago to marking the 500-day countdown to the Millennium Development Goals with us at UN headquarters this summer. The United Nations will continue to stand with her against extremism and for the right of girls everywhere to be free of violence, to go to school and to enjoy their right to education.”
Published in Dawn, October 11th , 2014
Categories: The Muslim Times
Malala has done nothing apart from writing her observations in her diary and by the way r u aware of female literacy rate in swat, yes it was on higher side even before and after Malala got attacked, there was no such thing that girls were deprived of education, few miscreants started bombing schools in swat but it was a temporary halt for girls to go to school..actually Malala’s father was a real cunning man, he had some links with foreign agents and he fully capitalized on that also geo brought her to limelight and phaphy kutni hamid mir who is master in creating hype made her heroine as once he tried to make hero out of that thief engineer waqar for water kit (what an illiterate anchor person)…now Malala drama is enjoying royalties of the book written by Christina lamb… Malala is just an ordinary average girl fully cashed by her clever and opportunist father… what a joke when her name was included for Nobel prize winners…. this world is full of dramas..
She did not earn or deserve any awards. It was all a propaganda campaign which has died down now and served its purpose.Review the events from the beginning: Picked up from a bus full of school girls (no education for girls?) A superficial injury which could not be cured in Pakistan? Flown out for treatment abroad and treated in Birmingham and not in London where the best medical care is available? Within two days the life threatening injury disappears and gives a press statement from the hospital bed? Writes a book which she is not capable of doing with her limited education? A campaign starts for Nobel Prize? Just use common sense to evaluate this and you will have million further questions which need answering.
IA
http://www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk
Salaam brother
I don’t want to offend you but the Taliban are not exercising true Islam.To cause pain and suffering to this girl has no place in Islam. She was given another chance by higher power maybe its time we all start to change events in Pakistan. You and I both know the country is run by very extreme groups which cherry pick certain scriptures to justify their means and power influence. Remember their are innocent brothers and sisters who are trying to change the negative behaviour of this group. They will not stop. This girl was one of the no human should be denied the right to safe education.
I for one feel strongly annoyed with negative media coverage but this i don’t believe is.
maybe their are more rightful people out there who deserve this honour but to take this right away from her is not good. I believe her struggle for her and family must be rewarded. I hope you understand. We should all learn to let go of negative thoughts its what makes us better humans and insah Allah Muslims.
walaikum salaam
We must not question the decision of the Nobel prize committee. They have authority to give the prize to any wayward person. I feel that if a person has been awarded anything good, it is not good to say that person did not deserve it.