Attack on my daughter changed everything, says Malala's mother

Toor Pekai Yousufzai spoke to media to explain how attack on Malala affected her life

Girls' education advocate Malala Yousufzai has become an influential and inspirational young woman. In public appearances, Malala is usually seen alongside her father, who has played a huge role in her success and education. Her mother, on the other hand, has kept a low profile, focusing on the family in Birmingham.



Speaking for the first time to BBC, Toor Pekai Yousufzai explained how her life had changed after the attack on Malala's life.

"It was very hard when I left everyone behind," says Toor Pekai. "We didn't expect to live in a foreign country.

"When other people leave their country they accept everything that comes their way and they're ready for it, but we couldn't prepare.

"We had to suddenly leave Pakistan. The attack changed everything. We had to focus on Malala's life."

Toor Pekai also explains the reason for keeping a low public profile.

"When Malala was being treated in hospital, we were very busy looking after her. Then she wrote a book and we were busy with that too, so that's why I wasn't in the public eye." says Toor Pekai

However, she has now started learning English in the UK to get more involved and gain some independence.

"At first I struggled to understand when people spoke to me in English, and I even had difficulty with words like 'yes' and 'no' but I'm improving and want to keep going. It makes life easier with travelling and going to the doctor's."

Through her English classes, Toor Pekai has also built a network of friends.

"Some of them are from Swat and I knew them from back there already. Recently another friend of mine came from Peshawar.

"There aren't any people from Pakistan in my English class but there are people from Iraq, Iran and one from Afghanistan. We have dinner parties where I cook rice, chicken and fish. They like my food."

Speaking about her relationship with Malala, Toor Pekai talks about how her daughter's survival after she was shot was a rebirth.

"Last year I wrote in her birthday card 'you are my four-year-old daughter' because I now keep count of the years since the attack. It's like she is reborn from that point."

Malala may be an inspiration for young women around the world, but when it comes to her daily life, she is just a teenager.

"She doesn't eat very well and doesn't drink enough water. She doesn't go to sleep on time and studies until midnight. We tell her to eat fruit and do her prayers, and she tells her brothers, but she doesn't," says Toor Pekai.

Speaking about future, Toor Pekai talks about how proud she is of her daughter.



"We're very happy for her. On the day she got her offer we cried but every moment of her life makes us happy," she said.

Like any other mother, however, the thought of her daughter leaving is daunting.

"I'm worried about what she'll eat and how she'll cook for herself. It's difficult but I have to accept it. I'll miss her a lot and home will be empty without her. Malala is not just my daughter but my friend as well."

This story originally appeared on BBC