A year has passed since the tragic attack occurred upon a young pakistani teen activist, who risked her life in order to fight for her beliefs of the importance of women’s right to education, yet the teen seems to be fighting a new battle brought upon her by those living inner own hometown! Hit the jump for more detail!
Although Malala Yousafzai has ben praised in many regions for her courageous efforts against her attack by Taliban members, who opposed her views on education, some pakistani residents believe that she is ruining their hometown’s name.
“She has won the European Union’s prestigious human rights award and was one of the favourites to win the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, but in her native Swat valley, friends and neighbours reacted with a mixture of resentment, fear and jealousy,” reported HuffPost
“Malala is spoiling Pakistan’s name around the world,” said Mohammad Rizwan, a shop owner in her hometown of Mingora. “We didn’t need Malala to come and tell us how important education is.”
Social media sites are brimming with insulting messages. “We hate Malala Yousafzai, a CIA agent,” says one Facebook page.
“Here, people have been unkind to her. They want to forget her. They think she is a drama queen. But what can you do?” said Ahmad Shah, a childhood friend of Malala’s father who helped write her speech at the United Nations this year.
“Here in Swat, we have seen the hell that is Taliban rule. And yet, some people still say they would much rather side with the Taliban than Malala. Sometimes people never learn.”
“Malala is a talented girl, no doubt,” said Zahid Khan, head of the Swat Peace Jirga, an anti-Taliban body who has survived three attempts on his life for his work. The Taliban has issued several threats to kill her. Needless to say one’s beliefs can cause them their life.
“I have been attacked. Shot. Almost killed. But no one is honouring me. The state hasn’t given me a cent in compensation,” stated Malala.
“She says she does not want to live like an illiterate person in a walled compound and deliver children,” said Shahidullah Shahid, a Pakistani Taliban spokesman. “Her mother and grandmother used to live in walled compounds and deliver children, so by saying that she didn’t even spare her mother,” he continued.
At Khushal Public School, a three-storey building where she studied, many avoided mentioning her name altogether “We want the girls to forget the trauma of that day,” said Nargis Bibi, a school administrator. “We want them to forget it. We don’t want them to relive it again. We all want to move on.”
Quratulain Ali, Malala’s friend, said quietly: “We are all very happy in our hearts (that she was nominated to win the Nobel Peace Prize) but we don’t often speak about it openly. There could be danger for us also.”
Its sad that such a courageous teen could not be honored in the very own place she lives, she does teach the lesson of staying strong above all!
