Prayers: One-minute silence observed for Malala

PESHAWAR: Schools, government departments and public representatives observed a one-minute silence and offered prayers for the early recovery of Malala Yousafzai on government directives.  The biggest ceremony to offer their gratitude to Malala was held at Civil Secretariat building in Peshawar where the senior provincial ministers and government servants participated. Chief Minister (CM) Amir Haider Khan Hoti also prayed and observed a one minute silence at the CM house. Students and staff members at colleges and universities also prayed for Yousafzai’s recovery. They also expressed solidarity with the victims in the war on terror. However, majority of the clerics in mosques across Peshawar refrained from criticising the Taliban during their Friday sermons. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on the 14-year-old girl.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13^th, 2012.