UNITED NATIONS: UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon announced on Thursday that November 10, 2012, will be celebrated as Malala Day world over, Express News reported.
Ki-Moon said that Malala is an inspiration for girls education the world over. Elaborating on what was the significance of November 10 that it was being observed as Malala Day, the UN secretary general said that it marks the 30 day anniversary of Taliban attack on the teenage peace activist from Swat.
On Friday, November 10, the UN special envoy for global education will visit Pakistan and present President Asif Ali Zardari with a petition signed by over one million people asking that he make girls education a reality in Pakistan.
Observing Malala day, Ki-Moon hoped, will build on the momentum of UN's Education First initiative and show that education is a right of everyone, and not a privilege for a few.
COMMENTS (43)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Malala, Malala, Malala! There are many more important things in the world than Malala! Has she cured cancer or what? Even the diary she wrote is alleged to be written by a BBC urdu reporter.
wonderer: Hope so, but em also thinking of those who wanna work & get same appreciation.
@sanna naser sheikh:
As I said earlier, you can have your way; best of luck to you.
A time will come when you will realize the importance of Malala, just as the rest of the world does today.
Every thing should start from one point...............thats MALALA...hats of you
Happy Malala day to everyone! Haters may have their own Taliban Day. Over & Out!!!!
@Sanna NasserSheikh:
I am sorry, I do not agree with you. Did Arfa Karim do anything against what Taliban want? No. So she is not like Malala who challenged the Taliban at the risk of losing her life.
You say,"because Arfa Karim was not honored, you should not honour Malala".
I say, " honour Malala, and also all others like Arfa Karim always".
That is the difference. If you understand this, it will be good for Pakistan. Otherwise, you can have it your way.
The best of luck to you!
Why we celebrate this day? Does she is much important as every citizen of Pakistan? Here I have discussed about this issue near me it’s a controversial issue & I’m not agree to celebrate this day it’s not a story of one lady in this world, Arfa Karim is another one who works for IT nobody recommend her name for fame. Every persona in this world has a basic motive & they have work on it but why focus on person. In Pakistan, every woman needs a respect & honor but why we neglect their legal rights. It’s just up to us how can we raise our voice against injustice.
@wonderer: Well, Yes I feel pleasure to announce a name of little angel Arfa Karim who had done a great efforts in IT but why we not highlight her name as such in the same way just because her death was in genuine way. Sorry to say media & our Government give so much protocol to Malala that she doesn’t deserve. It’s true she wants to promote education but what about the fake visuals that we have seen, firstly the hit of bullet in her forehead but she moves to London there is not any bullet spot even its injury mark. She feels fear about women because they wear hijab or she doesn’t like men having bearded. Here it’s a conflict about her thinking point of vision. Men having bearded is Sunnah. There are so many thing that have to discuss, she is not a specific one girl that work for education or want to promote. Why we give so much fame?
@sanna nasser sheikh: I agree with you on the pix. I had the same thought on the pics of the other guy also who was shot on the nose. However, my hatred for terrorism is so much that I shall overlook these and not believe in conspiracies. When UN is honoring her, I do not think there could be any conspiracy as there are many other countries who are members of UN and all are not fools and cannot be involved in a conspiracy at the same time. There could be an explanation for the pics and I wish someone provides an answer/explanation.
@Waseem:
No Sir. Malala is not, and cannot be, a CIA agent. Just think. **Please THINK.
What will CIA get for making Malala an agent? How can she help CIA?
Whatever Malala has done, or can do, will be in the interest of Pakistan.
If Malala does not do what she is doing it will be harmful for Pakistan.
If she is a CIA agent, you should thank CIA.
Pakistanis should get out of the habit of looking for conspiracies in everything, and thus do a great service to themselves and their nation. Thank Allah for giving you a Malala.
You should see the video for which I have posted the link in my earlier comment.
Agreed that she's an inspiration to girl's education and represented Pakistan's "positive" image...but this media hype rings an alarm that who is funding this whole campaign? Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy was awarded historical Oscar award because she did the same, presented "positive" image to the western world! this whole thing gives ground to the rumors that Malala is a CIA agent, didn't it?
The way to hounour Malala will be to ensure schools remain open even if its a holiday. Will our government have the brains and the courage to do this ?
@sanna nasser sheikh:
Cheers, Madam.
Your concern for all other oppressed women in Pakistan is commendable indeed. But when you talk of all those and Malala in the same breath, a question arises. It is this:
Can you name just one more woman in Pakistan who did exactly what Malala did?
There will be many who did more, or less, but the question is exactly what Malala did.
You should listen to the video for which I have posted the link in my previous comment.
For all those friends who link this to drone attacks, and are not supportive of the idea of Malala Day, I suggest careful listening to Mr. Munir Saami on this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eu8NyLeMCbc
I am sure you will realize what has Pakistan lost by not taking the Malala incident seriously. It would certainly won us many international friends.
@sanna nasser sheikh: People are concerned about her and they respect and honor her because she is still a child of just 14 years and has been fighting a noble cause for many years. What is wrong with some Pakistanis of this type? They do not even want their own to be honored by the utmost world body?
now some people in Pak will put on their hat to find conspricy theories!
Ohh .. How concerned UN is for this poor girl .. what about victims of Drone attacks?
@Ch. Allah Daad: Your day is incomplete without IK. Haha. Pity you.
Sad to see Malala is a unquestioned Heroine for most of the world, but in Pakistan quite a few voices are heard about she being a part of a conspiracy!!
Somehow I feel Malala is a bigger icon for the free world than the Muslim world. Because Muslim world still seems to thrive in the archaic sharia concepts, instead of modernity and equality.
@faheem: What's wrong with it? So now Malala Day will remind us about all that, good enough! Please don't mix-up. The Tragedy happen to Malala is not as common as those you mentioned. There are routine condemnations for all other tragedies around the globe. But Taliban hit below the belt on this one. They will regret this if few don't.
Good job UN. Some commentators above have criticized this decision and that what about thousands killed in terrorists attacks.I am shocked at their stance that they dont realize it was Malala who was courageous enough to speak out against taliban.
@Stewart Alex: Somewhere in your comments truth has been disregarded. Drones target terrorists - not civilians. Sure, a few innocent civilians may also be caught up in it - which is totally regrettable. The way forward on this is for the Pakistani government to enforce its writ in the region. You cannot have lawless areas in a sovereign nation.
@Stewart Alex: Thank you Stewart Alex. You are a star. Salams
This is indeed an honor for Malala, Pakistan, and is a United Nations "Hallmark." If one million citizens of the world sign a petition requesting Malala Day in Pakistan, it simply means, “Pakistanis, please put your house in order.” Mr. Zardari should receive it with grace and pride and declare the day without hesitation. Additionally, all the m-u-l-l-a-h-s in Pakistan and the world over, against education, should shave off their beards or shoot themselves in the b----. Economic disparity is the result of sixty-five years of independence. Salams
It is sad, very sad indeed, that Pakistan did not first announce a Malala Day to honour this divinely beautiful and courageous daughter of the Nation. Is it not ironic that the whole world will suitably honour Malala when Pakistan misses to do so?
This will give inspiration to millions of teen age girls all over the world and more particularly in Pakistan who want to go to educational institutions but cannot go for one reason or the other.
@Stewart Alex the 44k people are killed by your people and plicciies. Dont blame UNO for that. BDW why you have the habt of mixing things up ? Njoy the moment of Malala. SHe is really rare gem that your country has produced.
@grammar nazi: Even i think celebrate is wrong choice of word. What do you think about the word Commemorate rather than celebrate?
it is celebrated not celebrate on the front page of this story.
She is the true face of Pakistan. Taliban Khan and Fazl-ur-Rehman type people should learn from her.
What about petition against US anti Muslim movie director ? We are sleeping.. not dead.
Dont just limit Malala's struggle to 'girls education' only: its also about peace; its also about tolerance towards religious and cultural believes; its also about social, economic and political empowerment of the neglected segment of the society; its also about resource mobilization towards backward regions; and its also about human rights and choice. This is all what for Malala wants to come into politics, because she realizes though education is of critical importance, but not the only ingredient.
"November 10 will be celebrate as Malala day" You mean "celebrated" ET?
wow ET, way to go by screwing up on the headline. my 10 year old nephew can do a better job than your editors!
This is a great honor. Honor for Malala and honor for Pakistan also.
Dear UN Secretary General, Is there a day in your calendar to celebrate the lives of 44,000 inocent Pakistani civilians who lost thier lives to taliban suicide attacks resulting from global war on terror.
Very good. I wish Pakistan had more people like her.