Malala Yousafzai
Created in London, England.
"When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful."
I Am Malala
Named after the famous Afghani poet and warrior, Malalai of Maiwand, Malala has become a symbol for women's rights and the enduring spirit of truth for people worldwide.
Malala was raised Muslim in the city of Mingora, Pakistan, where her father (an amazing man) ran a school for girls.
"Dear sisters and brothers, we have a responsibility to improve the world".
Childhood
In this region it was common for women not to go to school, but Malala's father always encouraged her to learn and taught her that she could accomplish anything she set her heart to.
Malala loved learning and school. She dreamed of one day growing up to help other people and imagined herself
becoming a teacher, doctor, or politician.
Malala learned three different languages including Pashto, English, and Urdu.
Peace
As the Taliban gained more control, they began to enforce new laws upon people. Suddenly women would not be allowed to vote or have jobs and there would be no longer be dancing, television, movies, or music allowed.
Eventually, the Taliban demanded that all the girls schools be shut down. Girls schools that did not shut down were burned or destroyed.
"If you pick up a gun in the name of Islam and kill an innocent person, you are not Muslim anymore.
You do not share my faith." - Malala
Be peaceful and love everyone.
In 2009 Malala wrote about her life during the Taliban occupation of her home in Pakistan and the ban on girls’ education. The writing became very popular and suddenly Malala became a target for those who had been oppressing the people and women in Pakistan.
In 2012, aged just 15 years old, Malala was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman who boarded her school bus.
She recovered in Birmingham, England, where she and her family chose to remain afterward.
On July 12, 2013, at the first ever Youth
Takeover of the UN, Malala said:
"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. This is the compassion that I have learnt from Muhammad-the prophet of mercy, Jesus Christ and Lord Buddha. This is the legacy of change that I have inherited from Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. This is the philosophy of non-violence that I have learnt from Gandhi Jee, Bacha Khan and Mother Teresa. And this is the forgiveness that I have learnt from my mother and father. This is what my soul is telling me, be peaceful and love everyone".
Serving Humanity
In 2013, Yousafzai was awarded the International Children’s Peace prize and co-founded the Malala fund to champion the right of every girl to 12 years of free, safe, quality education.
In 2014, she received the
Nobel Peace Prize.
"The world needs leadership based on serving humanity, not based on how many weapons you have."
"Dear sisters and brothers, we have a responsibility to improve the world".
"Let them say, we were the first to live in a world where all girls could learn and lead without fear".
"We should not ask children who flee their homes to also give up their dreams".
"The world needs leadership based on serving humanity, not based on how many weapons you have."
Malala Yousafzai becomes honorary Canadian
"Today, only a quarter of refugee children can get secondary education."
"Last summer, on a trip to Kenya, I was introduced to the bravest girl I’ve ever met.
At age 13, Rahma’s family fled Somalia and came to Dadaab — the world’s largest refugee camp.
She had never been inside a classroom — but she worked hard to catch up and, in a few years, graduated primary school.
At 18, Rahma was in secondary school, when her parents decided to move back to Somalia. They promised she could continue her education. But when her family returned to Somalia, there were no schools for her to attend. Her father said her education was finished and that she would soon marry a man in his 50s — a man she did not know.
Rahma remembered a friend from the refugee camp, who had won a scholarship to a university in Canada. She borrowed a neighbour’s Internet connection and contacted him through Facebook.
Over the internet, the university student in Canada sent her $70.
At night, Rahma snuck out of her house, bought a bus ticket and set out on an eight-day trip back
to the refugee camp — the only place she knew she could go to school.
Through the Sustainable Development Goals, our nations promised every girl she would go to school for 12 years. We promised that donor countries and developing countries would work together
to make this dream a reality for the poorest girls in the world.
I know that politicians cannot keep every promise they make — but this is one you must honour.
World leaders can no longer expect girls like Rahma to fight this battle alone." - Malala Yousafzi
"World leaders can no longer expect girls
like Rahma to fight this battle alone".
Love Woman
Malala is an incredible young woman and human being. Just her being on this planet is a gift to us all.
She brings hope, wisdom and courage to so many for a better, more loving, equitable and shared world.
Malala shows us how to be gentle and humble yet powerful and strong.
The balance and beauty of her soul has touched so many human lives.
I write this on international women's day, a very good day to share her spirit and message.
Her message is simple, love women, love girls and help make this world better for all.
I do not claim to understand a woman's experience, but it is obvious to me that this world makes it more difficult than it should be. From overtly sexual imagery to shallow roles in writing & film, the way media portrays and uses women is very harmful to us all. The feminine spirit is powerful and much needed today.
The inner beauty of woman can change the whole world.
We need to enable women and girls worldwide to create change.
A changed media narrative is key to realising that.
If women are supported more to share their true spirit, talents and love with the world then
everything on Earth profoundly changes for the better.
Some men seem afraid of empowering women.
I don't understand this. Woman is man's partner and friend upon this Earth.
Humanity is nothing without woman.
The world often seems to set men and women against each other.
This causes so many issues from the breakdown of the family unit and is misguided on many levels.
We are polar expressions of one eternal truth,
and should never become spiritually divided.
Woman and man are two parts of the same whole.
We are one.
Too often after men have hurt women, women go on to hurt men, and vice versa.
Why do we hurt each other rather than nurture? We should not cause pain when we can instead bring healing.
Men and women, boys and girls, should all be growing in love and understanding together, as it is meant to be.
To change this world,
Men and women will have to change.
We need to truly love each other.
To learn forgiveness and emotional strength.
Man & Woman are eternal friends and partners,
The same yet different. Equal yet individually gifted.
Sharing this life's playground,
Learning together under one sun,
When we grow in true love,
Two loving souls,
Become one.
Love to Malala.
Love to all women.
Love to all people.
All Love is One.