Around 150 students boycotted classes at what is now the Government Malala College for Girls in Saidu Sharif, in the northwestern Swat Valley, tearing up and stoning pictures of the 15-year-old, accusing her of abandoning Pakistan by going to Britain for treatment.
The Pakistan government has renamed numerous schools in honour of Malala, who was shot in the head by the Taliban in October for championing girls' education in Swat and is now recovering in a British hospital.
The students at what was previously known as the Government College for Girls said they had repeatedly asked the principal to remove the plate with the new name, fearing it would invite the attention of militants.
"We came out when the principal finally refused to accept our demand," student Shaista Ahmed said. "We feel the college would be the potential target of militants.
"I joined others who chanted slogans against Malala and pelted stones on her picture because she had left the country to settle abroad. We are poor, we cannot afford it and we will suffer because she has fled to Britain."
Local government official Niaz Ali Khan told AFP the protesting students were "very angry and aggressive" and tore up a portrait of Malala which the authorities had erected on a college wall after the Taliban attack.
"The students ended their protest after we promised to convey their demand to the authorities," he said.
Student Mah Noor, 19, said: "Malala herself is in Britain but other girls will remain in Swat. She will not come back to Pakistan, then what is the need to rename the college after her?"
Malala first rose to prominence aged just 11 with a blog for the BBC Urdu service in 2009 in which she described life in Swat during the bloody rule of the Taliban.
Taliban hitmen shot her on her school bus in Mingora, the main town in Swat, for the "crime" of campaigning for girls' rights to go to school, but she survived after surgery in Pakistan.
She was sent to Britain for further treatment and her courage has won the hearts of millions around the world, prompting the United Nations to observe a "global day of action" for her last month.
Malala's father Ziauddin Yousafzai, a former teacher and headmaster, has been appointed UN adviser on education.
COMMENTS (77)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Pak name is officially changed to malalistan by zardari. This malala scene is a headache now.from day1 i had some suspicions in my mind about this crap scene. Stop it now plz we have many other thing to do in life except this.
How does renaming schools, or anything for that matter, have any effect on the educational situation in Pakistan? If we really appreciate what Malala has done for girls' education, maybe the government should try 'building' new schools.
very sorry that girls from swat do not honor the great Malala.
Better Malala than Bhutto any day.
this is stupid. These girls should not forget that when the millitants had hold of swat, only Malala had the courage to speak up for education of girls, where were these girls at that time. Pure jealousy!
These are college students? Amazing!
Pity on Pakistan. Solution is that this so called sovereign country should be a one of the states of KSA and Al e Saud should be the Kings and furthermore all the notable institutions should be renamed as Yazeeed Islamic Uni & Mawia Islamic Uni etc..
@Mohammad Ali Ilahi: Why don't they take over YOUR area?
@ALI: THIS IS ALL JEALOUSY AGAINST MALALA
What is annoying to me, is that every time the government wants to do something, it names a building after someone. If you really wanna do something, why not improve the education system and attendance in schools and bring more teachers to school and make sure girls receive education in honour of Malala. How is re-naming a school after her gonna help anyone?????
@Sultan Khan: first Read this news correctly then comment!!!!!!!!
a student says “We came out when the principal finally refused to accept our demand,” student Shaista Ahmed said. “We feel the college would be the potential target of militants
@Aladin:
Lolz, IJT.. who knows better than these girls who are studying in the same college? No attention from anyone to the two girls got injured in the attack, even they did treatment with own money. Look at the answer of Shaista Ahmad; "We are poor, we cannot afford it and we will suffer because she has fled to Britain.”
What you say now? Really feel sad for these sisters.
The narrative is changing again. These girls, as reported earlier during the tragic incident, were crying in support for Malala. But these propagandist have yet again successfully distorted the facts by spreading vile and hatred into the minds of the locals.
This propagandist machinery is so organized and effective, that the voice of liberals and civil society can never compete the narrative.
Naming conventions based on human idols happens only in Pakistan. Look at our airports, hospitals, parks, schools and university. Its about time that we stop bowing down before our feudal saints and media made gods and have a humility of own.
@Thor: No Pakistan has donated USD 10 million for this intl fund whereas our own kids are not getting quality education or even NO education in remote villages. Strick monitoring be done by UNESCO or UNICEF in Pakistan.
a news item in The Dawn....".Nearly three quarters of young Pakistani girls are not enrolled in primary school and the number finishing five years in education has declined, a new UN and government report showed Wednesday." these are frightening numbers....address this rather than going on a naming spree.......
its seems the civilized world go one way and pakistan goes the opposite. osama kasab and individual like them can only have shelter bed. breakfast with big mansion and family stay in this land of pure. when world comes to get them their search ends here.the problem is not malala its the mindset of peoples at large in the land of pure
I smell jealousy.
@Alladin:
First of all it did mention the number in the very first line "Around 150 students". Secondly your notion of political affiliation is just insane. It is a girls college! Even in a city like Karachi where there is a strong political influence in colleges, only some group boys are affiliated with political parties not girls and this college is based in sawat.
Coming to the report, Pakistani government (including the rest of the world) have taken this issue a bit too far. No body says nothing when children die on their way to school in Palestine (due to Israel attacks) and innocent kids in tribal areas (due to US attacks). We need a real leader who can not only provide justice within Pakistan but also to Pakistan in the whole world. I wonder when they will name a college in USA after Dr. Afia???
was the blog written by her cause she could not even read properly let alone write in proper Urdu :-)
Taliban and their supporters are not only cowards, they are jealous of her. More importance and respect she gets, these cowards become more jealous. Its great to see hate and jealousy in their eyes. Thanks Malala.
The flag on the left side shows some one has funded this renaming project :P
One Day Government Will Change The Name Of Our Country With Replacing Malala
These students need to drink Mountain Dew more often..
Instead of catching attackers we name things after victims.
@Khan Gul: Correct Khan Gul,,,,,,,
@Waseem: Mr. Waeem. totally agree with you
@Mohammad Ali Ilahi:
Are you in ur senses?
How we will get rid from this Malala girl.. Please Malala leave us, Go away. Thank God, local take good step in this regard. One day, the government will change the name of Pakistan. it will be Malalalistan,, Stupid girl.,, everyone tired from this silly topic. its time to stop her, stop this malala topic....
Ok, the picture for this article has now been updated.
Can someone tell me what the flag on the left side of the board represents? I've never seen it before.
Govt. P.G what an odd name.
@JeenayDo: . . How? Any Proof
World is surrounded by MALALA fobia
Look At the pic closely, seriously they look like guys disguised as females. Look at yhe muscular arms and manly wrists!
this report left me wondering two things: how many students protested? And if they had any political affiliation?
If they really cared, they should have build a new college rather changing the name of an established institution..
Should going after the Taliban NOT be the first priority of the government rather than naming the schools and colleges in the name of Malala........It was a great shame for Pakistan, but it seems government is taking this as something big achievement and organizing and participating the events in the name of Malala worldwide.
Malala has fled probably never to come back fearing for her life. The Pakistan Government seems to be in no position to guarantee security to anybody anywhere. This is itself a slap to the face of the Government which should have been squirming in discomfort. Instead of working on an anti terrorism strategy the Government is more interested in milking the situation for political gains.
@Introspection: I fail to see your excitement here, with your mindet, possibility of your daughter ever making to a school or college is zilch. So why to strain your poor little brain with such things which are far above you anyways, relax and make sure that your "honour" stays in tact and no one from your family ever get a chance to see what the world really is all about.
people are tired of Malala politics. Its time to limit it, right now.
@khalid: how observant of you.
I wish that the Taliban take over this area again and fulfill their wishes to live in stoneage. They'll make sure that people get flogged here, and whipped and stoned to death.. They want that, they deserve that..
So what next? later on name "SWAT" also going to be changed to "Malala" Better open a new school with the name of Malala... in this way they can also get some funds from abroad....
SHAME! people trying to USE her name...
@Nadir: Thank you for atleast one person read the whole article :)
Shame on this sick nation.. Malala is the name of a positive Hope.
This has been the way of PPP since they have come in power. First they named everything in the name of Benazir Bhutto and now when people have started to forget her, they are bringing in a new face..
What else has Government done other than naming things. If they are that much impressed by Malala's bravery, they should take a full action against culprits who are killing thousands every year!
Maiala incident was very sad and should be condemned BUT Taliban are not only after Malala. They killed thousands before Malala and since she has gone to UK, they are still killing.
Making her a symbol of bravery is a good thing but taking it this far that every thing has her name is just insane.
This war goes beyond Malala....Ask those who have lost their children...Malala was lucky to have survivied!
May Allah give patience to those who actually lost their family (Aameen)
God Knows how monay more Mukhtaran Mai, Shermeen Chenoi and Malalas are in making......
This "Malala" issue has benefited nobody but her family & those forces which campaign against Pakistanis. Education is not only a problem for girls but even for boys, there are no good government schools as these funds are not used up for the right cause! This "girls educationn" is just a media campaign to show outside world that Pakistan is an oppressive country where girls get no education, which is false since more girls are getting education, compared with boys now, than ever before in our history!!! Its the private sector & self sufficient citizens of Pakistan who are doing the real hard work not the foreign funded model schools.
The concerns of it being turned into a Taliban target are valid. But as for the rest of it... I don't see how it's such a big deal that it would cause protests. I do get their reasoning and people really are going overboard with the exploitation of that girl. But, the reaction seems more extreme than the cause warrants. Personally, I'd just shrug. Technically there is a bonus to it getting that name. People around the world love patting themselves on the back when it comes to causes like her's. The fact it gets worldwide attention makes it all the more attractive to those people. The school would probably end up with large donations just because her name is on it.
I am 100% sure JI is behind this protest. Onle 15-20 students participated. JI always dig every issue so that they can be satisfied. It is their inherit nature.
What a crap seriously !! MALALA episode is all fake.
Fear
Naming destructed colleges and bad roads is the only thing ANP and PPP govt has done in last 5 years
Why is this headline news ?
They look like men ? strong hands, broad wrists and forearms, hidding faces....
This Malala business needs to stop now. I mean people on merit are not getting the jobs and awards which she and her family seem to be gathering by the minute!
Personally ,I think naming a local college after Malala name is a good idia but objections from other side must also be considered.Generally,people who are overblowing Malala are doing dis-service to the brave child and damaging the noble cause she is fighting for. Noble peace prize, global thinker, UN education representaitve, come on guys ; give me a break. Extremism of all kinds is dnagerous.
I am a supporter of Malala, but I believe the Government is simply using her to milk international funds. If you want to honor what she stood for, then build more schools, create education awareness and offer incentives for female education. Whilst I don't agree with the protest being carried out by the students, one has to wonder, why was the college name changed in the first place!? It seems that name changing is a popular activity in Pakistan. Follow the message, not the messenger
They are worried about being targetted by terrorists because of the name change, that should be the issue of concern!
Strongly agreed with Thor. Pakistani rulers never leave opportunity to get aid, shameful rulers and shameful actions.
Protest is fully justified! It's 'broad-daylight-dacoity' by the Govt. of the already established respectful name of 'Saidu Sharif Girl's Degree College'. I certainly wouldn't want my daughter's name stuck with something like 'Malala Degree College' for the rest of her life...Hell No!!!
After Bhutto now they gonna name everything after Malala ..
Naming conventions based on human idols happens only in Pakistan. Look at our airports, hospitals, parks, schools and university. Its about time that we stop bowing down before our feudal saints and media made gods and have a humility of own.
sick of this name again and again....
This is interesting. First we hail her as a rolemodel..then when she is hailed as such..then we tore her posters. God bless this country.
Wow. 10 girls on front-page of a college with thousands of girls. And then we complain that Malala is getting extra exposure. Why are these 10 girls getting so much coverage ???? What about the other college girls, the other drone victims, the other salala victims, the other bomb blast victims, the other Burma victims?
In such reports it is VERY important to mention how many people (in this case student) took part in the protest (out of the college's total enrollment), and that whether the protestors had any political affiliations ... who knows they might be IJT activists. ET must learn some basic journalism
They must be jealous of Malala or sympathisers of Taliban otherwise instead of tearing posters and pelting stones they could have expressed their reservations and apprehensions before the management in a dignified manner.
Why? They should be proud! Do not get intimadated with terrorists, they are cowards.
Pakistan has found new way to get funds from worldwide in name of "Malala Foundation" this is sick. just let it go
This Malala crap has gone too far now......