Pakistan

Would like to have a beer with Malala: US presidential candidate

Senator Rubio sparks controversy after saying he wants to have a drink with an underage Muslim

Web Desk November 06, 2015

PHOTO: REUTERS

Republican presidential candidate Senator Marco Rubio of Florida sparked controversy on Wednesday when he said he’d like to have a beer with Malala.

When asked who he’d like to have a beer with outside of the political world, Rubio said, “Malala!”

Rubio was asked the question during a question-and-answer session for “young professionals” at St Anselm College in New Hampshire.

Tough call: Malala to choose between Stanford and Oxford universities

Malala, a Muslim teenager and underage for drinking in the US, famously defied the Taliban’s ban on female education in Pakistan, demanding that girls be allowed to attend schools. She was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen in 2012 but survived the attack.

Malala was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 and 2014, making her the youngest person to receive a Nobel Peace Prize. Drinking alcohol is considered unlawful by most Muslims, and purchasing alcohol is illegal for Muslims in Pakistan.

Malala always welcome in India, says Shiv Sena

Many took to Twitter to express their disbelief at Rubio’s comment.

https://twitter.com/BenjySarlin/status/661965169069826048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/rozina_ali/status/661993423587647488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Marco Rubio Said He Wants to Have a Beer With Malala – an Underage Muslim @alternet https://t.co/knfppC8q8a LOLWHAAA?
— Steve Crandall (@JayandSteve) November 4, 2015

@aasif @malala @marcorubio Next he'll be talking about eating ham & shrimp sandwiches with Netanyahu.
— Charles Gaba ✡️ (@charles_gaba) November 6, 2015

Marco Rubio said the most absurd thing of the election. https://t.co/GrVkorBxDM
— Gawker (@Gawker) November 4, 2015

This article originally appeared on IB Times.

COMMENTS (25)

Azmat Ali | 8 years ago | Reply Two mistakes on the part of Mr. Rubio. First, as an adult, he cannot invite a teenager to have a beer with him, even in a casual manner. Teenage drinking is a crime. Adults asking teenagers to have a drink with them will also constitute a crime. The second reason is because Malala is a muslim and is not expected to consume alcohol. As a candidate for the position of the President of United States, one is expected to understand such basic matters and respond accordingly. If he really wanted to meet Malala, his considered response should have been, "I would like to meet Malala over coffee or Ice Cream." Casual and understanding of the various angles of the answer.

Mian | 8 years ago | Reply @ajeet: What an attitude to justify your argument. Trust an Indian to make two wrongs sound right.Get some life man!

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jayant | 8 years ago | Reply @SKD: They may be whatever you say they are but they still give you money to run your nation ! Atleast be gracious about that ! et fact

Sarah | 8 years ago | Reply @SKD: Wouldnt say they are insensitive as much as they are just plain ignorant mostly.

Attorney Tausif Kamal | 8 years ago | Reply How stupid and ignorant our people are. Bhai. 'lets have a beer' is an expression in US for meeting someone casually and in a friendly manner. Malala don't have to have a beer if they meet, she can have a juice, or tea or coffee..The idea is to meet cordially and informally...We fundoo Pakistanis wear Islamism up our sleeves, all we think about is fundooism Get over it and catch with the world...

echoboom | 8 years ago | Reply seems like US has more loonies than anywhere....and the secularoon slaves are going ga ga over it here

Naeem Khan | 8 years ago | Reply I don't drink or smoke but I do go out some time with friends to bars where they drink and I opt for soft drinks. It is culturally acceptable in the US. Although I will never vote for Senator Marco Rubio if he is nominated but let us not criticize him for what he has said. He meant well and is supportive of Malala of whom I am very proud. I can't blame some Pakistanis either for their criticism because they are not familiar with local culture over here. How ever I have known all sort of Muslims who drink in Pakistan and in other countries.

Another Indian | 8 years ago | Reply @Ch. Allah Daad.. And you have very little knowledge about other cultures.

ajeet | 8 years ago | Reply @ABC But you encourage underage marriage. So drinking is bad, but marriageis good. You are Pakistani, so expecting commonsense is not fair

PAK FA | 8 years ago | Reply @Ch. Allah Daad: A little knowledge about Muslims however Precise knowledge about Malala.

Paa ji | 8 years ago | Reply What a silly person he is.

Dr Priyanka | 8 years ago | Reply Looks like a decent man. He does not have advisers probably. Having a beer here means like having 'chai pe charcha'. I live in the UK and its normal here. I would never have a beer with an Indian. That is for sure. I am not a beer drinker either.

ABC | 8 years ago | Reply @ajeet: Its not about being Muslims. I think you guys promote underage use of alcohol in India. Understanding the topic before commenting might help, but of course you are an Indian so I wouldn't expect sanity from you

bigsaf | 8 years ago | Reply The anti-Malala folks will have a field day...

Mrs HighBall | 8 years ago | Reply Well he can have beer while Malala herself knocks back a Pakola; what's the fuss ?!

M .T. Chaudhari | 8 years ago | Reply It gives derogatory reflection in general and a candidate contesting for such a high profile role is supposed to be a graceful and balanced minded in all traits of personality. I would say he diminished his own personality by passing such comments .

ajeet | 8 years ago | Reply Now is the time for Muslims to show how tolerant they are.

SKD | 8 years ago | Reply Americans are most insensitive and ignorant people in the world. If a presidential candidate does not know norms of Islamic cultural values then common american's ignorance could be imagined.

Ch. Allah Daad | 8 years ago | Reply The guy has very little knowledge about Muslims.

Whiskey Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Being a presidential candidate, The correct choice of words is important. Would he be liked to be called ignorant. This is not an issue but just pointing out.

Troubled | 8 years ago | Reply @Secular: Nobody says they want to have a beer with someone and takes them to have root beer. I ever did that to anyone I know, they would kick me hard.

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply Let's be honest......the guy's heart is in the right place.......but that was a serious faux pas.

Raisani | 8 years ago | Reply A beer with Malala. Nice combo!

rex minor | 8 years ago | Reply Why not with an adult? The guy has tendency for minors. Rex minor

Secular | 8 years ago | Reply he could have a root beer with her, beer doesn't necessarily mean alcoholic beverage. No need to make an issue out of it. In West having a beer means spending a quality time.

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