I was busy writing another post today when I read the tragic story about Malala Yousafzai, age 14, being shot in the neck by the Taliban. She is the young woman who at age 11 starting to write a diary in her blog about being denied access to an education because she was a girl in the Swat Valley of Pakistan.
This area, which is said to be very beautiful, is near the Afghanistan border and is mostly populated by ethnic Pashtuns or Afghans. Heavily controlled by Taliban forces from 2007 to 2009, when Malala began writing her blog, they are still hell-bent in trying to enforce their warped views that females should not be allowed to attend schools. They consider her an enemy because she promotes a secular government of her region that would endow more rights to women .
Malala has been so brave and courageous to stand up with words to these heinous sick cowards and now is fighting for her life. Surgeons in Peshawar were able to successfully remove the bullet, and she is said to be stable, but here prognosis is unknown.
Her father and later the whole family had to leave their village several years ago when the Taliban forces took over her region. I am not sure if they had returned to their home or not when the assassination attempt occurred.
Her school bus was returning the children from school when it was stopped and a boy questioned who was Malala. After being pointed out, she was shot twice with a bullet that penetrated her neck near the base of her skull. Two other little girls were wounded also.
Just last December she was awarded the first National Peace Prize of Pakistan for all her courageous efforts . She was also nominated by the Netherlands International Children Peace prize.
Obviously, this is a young woman who is headed towards making changes. I hope she and her family will be fully protected until possibly given political asylum in another country where she can continue her education in freedom. Nevertheless it seems it took this assassination attempt to galvanise the Pakistan media to focus more attention to the malignancy of the Taliban that still infiltrates this country.
The Taliban have said she will be continually targeted to be killed. I can only imagine that this brave teenager who has already witnessed violence growing up will need much psychological support and therapy to help her with PTSD that will cause her much pain and struggle, not only to her but her family.
I read that she was named after an Afghan folk hero , a woman called Malalai Maiwand, known as an Afghan Jeanne D’Arc. Malala indeed must carry her fighting spirit within her. The love for her homeland and fearless determination are truly remarkable.
Hailed by a top military official as “an icon of courage”, Malala has accomplished more in rallying anti Taliban sentiment her short life than many others in power. To you dear Malala, I send many prayers for a quick recovery and that you and your family will soon find a haven of freedom and peace.
Very sad but inspiring story.
Thank you Liz for your comment. I have been following her progress daily and read today that she was flown to the UK for further treatment. I am glad she is out of her country as the Taliban has repeatedly said they will try to kill her again. I can not imagine in totality her parents pain in not knowing if their child will live and walk again, in addition to knowing that they can not return to their home.
Cruel beyond words and total insanity to target a little girl because she wants to go to school and advocates for other girls to do the same.