Malala Yousafzai. PHOTO: REUTERS
The invitation comes amidst speculation that Malala will be named the youngest winner of the Nobel peace prize this week.
The report stated that the Queen was impressed by Malala’s bravery and inquired about her health from Pakistan High Commissioner in the United Kingdom.
Malala was shot by the Taliban in Swat for campaigning for girls’ schooling.
She was recently awarded the RAW in WAR Anna Politkovskaya Award and is also among the favourites for the Nobel Peace Prize, which will be announced on October 11.
Nobel
Malala and a Japanese author who writes about alienation and a fractured modern world are tipped as Nobel Prize winners ahead of the annual awards.
She is a favourite for the peace prize among experts and betting agencies.
"I have Malala Yousafzai on top," Kristian Berg Harpviken, director of Oslo-based peace research institute PRIO, told reporters. "The EU (European Union) got the prize last year and the EU prize was poorly understood and fundamentally questioned in many quarters."
One obstacle could be her age. Tawakkol Karman, a Yemeni human rights activist and youngest winner to date, was 32 when she received the prize and some experts argue the prize would overburden such a young woman.
Malala is living in London and still facing Taliban threats.
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COMMENTS (58)
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Sure, I am also a Pakistani Woman, and appreciate Malala, but I also root for Bilquis Edhi, Zubeida Jalal, Afia Siddiqui and the millions of women and children struggling against all odds.
Who's gonna recognize and appreciate them? and follow in their footsteps? Are they only suppose to take Malala as their inspiration? I see women struggling every single day and my heart goes out to them too. its just that.
Forgive me for repeating your sentence, "few Pakistanis that are making us proud!" that is quite a low opinion. Like I said, please recognize the hardships women are struggling with every single day. Its astonishing how we immediately start appreciating our people only when they are highlighted by someone outside our society.
@qhn: hey! Agreed! But i put that link for a reason there. One must be open to other views http://tinyurl.com/npf55sj
@Awake! "Just dont get brainwashed by the media’s projected image of Pakistan". True, and at the same time, lets not deny anything presented by media just because we don't like to hear it.
The only point that i want to repeat once again is that YES, Malala's achievements mean alot to us Pakistani women. I am not going to deny appreciating her achievements just because i don't like her projected image. Beyond these image games, I see her as one of those few Pakistanis that are making us proud!
It is sad that most of her home town, whether through fear &/or ignorance, rejects her and the brave stand she has taken.
The taliban, and other militant muslim sects are akin to cults and need to be eradicated from the globe. They kill, steal & destroy. They seek utter control of the very breath of life. They are a sickness & a disease on the face of the planet and need to be eradicated.
To attempt to murder this innocent young child because she stood up for education is the very heart of mental illness and evil. Could they get any sicker? I think not.
@qhn: Sure, I am all for recognizing what needs to be changed in our nation! Be the change!! Just dont get brainwashed by the media's projected image of Pakistan, I respect your opinion but when certain things are reported only to tarnish your country's image then one must stand up against it.
Has any one ever tried to confront drone attacks? The Military or The Political Parties? Even if they have, nothing has happened. Mr Obama feels attacks are necessary to kill our innocent! Millions of civilians have marched against it but nothing has come to pass unfortunately!
My argument is only that presenting Malala with accolades wont bring peace in Waziristan neither can it bring hope, because the US government or even the world for that reason is not there to uplift the spirits of girls who are struggling to attend school!
No NGOs, No social workers have ever tried to lessen the difficulties these people face. The logical approach is evacuating the innocents from that area. Nobody has tried doing that.
@Awake! "its “actually the conservative mullahs in Pakistan stopping girls from attending school,” which ill again say is NOT true" I still think its TRUE. Don't agree? do read this, this news is just a month old: http://www.rferl.org/content/pakistan-girls-school-bomb/25096579.html
Continuously denying something or closing our eyes from what is actually happening around us won't change anything. The change can happen ONLY if we first accept that something really needs to be changed, if we first recognize that yes, there is a problem here!!
@qhn: See. You dont get the point. The projected image is not "women empowerment" its "actually the conservative mullahs in Pakistan stopping girls from attending school," which ill again say is NOT true. And if you still think its true, sorry to say, you're not seeing the change that is taking place in Pakistan.
And I am talking about the incessant projection of Malala as a Pakistani girl by the foreign media.
@ModiFied: Americans will love to have sponsored character who should watch USA and his personal interest at cost of Pakistan as our last Hussain Haqqani did.
It is a drama,the one who fired the bullet on her was also told to do in a way told to him.we have to bear this all because of poor leadership one after the other.
Western countries think they are too smart,for sure playing with the image of Pakistan , previously Muktahra Mai cause was fully sponsored.60000 people killed by TTP,SSP,LeJ, Jandullah and Al Qaeda are all western sponsored.
@Awake! By honouring Malala, one is not 'Disregarding' the girls who are still struggling to educate themselves. By honouring Malala, the girls struggling to educate themselves will get courage to move further and struggle harder for their education.
'The whole world is bent on making Pakistan a country that is ruthless to girls education or having an independent voice, which is not true!' - what if i say it's TRUE? [at least 70% true if not 100%]
And i am saying this all by taking Malala AS Malala - a girl who fought for a girl’s right to education!
any thoughts how would she help and make a change in pakistan sitting thousands of miles away? what good are the awards given to her for the country?? how many schools were destroyed or build after she left? right now she is on her own trip and tomorrow she would be a brit national, and the irony is they are all given asylum by our former rulers!!!
Please @qhn take a collective approach. We must not disregard the girls who are still struggling to educate themselves. The whole world is bent on making Pakistan a country that is ruthless to girls education or having an independent voice, which is not true! It could mean a lot but only if Malala is taken as Malala, a girl who fought for a girl's right to education, not as a Pakistani being robbed off that right!
We never criticised Arfa, did we? nobody is against girls or women in Pakistan. when Arfa was getting all the awards & praises from around the world we took pride in her because she achieved something great & she inspired all the young girls! In fact I rooted for her & used to enjoy her interviews & felt extremely proud of her! Malala is a totally different story, you need to look at the background of all this situation. She wants to be a politician & that is why her father pushed her in the limelight of media when Swat was attacked. Only time will tell how she helped Pakistan, if she's doing all this just so that she could become a future PM, then, sorry, I'd rather vote somebody like Edhi whose agenda is not be a PM of this country but rather help Pakistan from other means.
@Awake! "Giving them awards doesnt change the lives of millions of women living in Pakistan. So does it mean anything to us, at all?"
Yes, it does mean ALOT. At least one among us Pakistani women is fortunate enough to change her life. Its an achievement in itself. And an inspiration too, for Pakistani women!!
@goggi (Lahore) Lovely comment!
To all you ignorant and shameless people who are criticising Malala : Would your comments had been the same if instead of Malala it had to be your daughter or your sister ? Do not be jealous ! Admire what she has foght for and recognised the world over. What have you ignorant pathetic people done noteworthy ?
"@1984:@hmm: So what do u expect??? Come back to Pakistan where even your former PM Benazir Bhutto wasnt safe?? Or ask complete forgiveness from the Taliban and get married as the fourth wife of Mullah Omar and breed kids like a machine???" Very well said.Please come to Pakistan and see with your own eyes in the tribal areas where school-going girls are struggling for education and go to the schools with fear of killing.Not only Malala did extraordinary.This is international media which is promoting Malala in the world and not the other girls who go to schools under the most dangerous conditions in the tribal areas......
Behind Malala's fame and getting awards' achievements all the credit only goes to Taliban.....
First it was Mukhtaran Mai and now it is Malala. And yet women live under the same wretched conditions like they used to. Giving them awards doesnt change the lives of millions of women living in Pakistan. So does it mean anything to us, at all?
http://tinyurl.com/npf55sj
Malala, to them you can be anything, but your image in front of Pakistanis is deteriorating. Its time for you to sit up and worry about your image in Pakistan.
@hmm: So what do u expect???
Come back to Pakistan where even your former PM Benazir Bhutto wasnt safe??
Or ask complete forgiveness from the Taliban and get married as the fourth wife of Mullah Omar and breed kids like a machine???
@ hmm ...so Malala is a face planted by the West against the Taliban ? No wonder the Taliban are enjoying a spree of killing us Pakistani citizens! All Taliban sympathizers just imagine your sister or daughter being a victim of this horrific crime your mean vitriol insults against her family is beyond sick. What did she & her family do to deserve this harsh treatment? The fact that some of you are projecting such negative comments actually make the Taliban look better we know what their motive is but what is your excuse? I am sick that I live in a nation of demented people!
Actually nobody is jealous of Malala, this whole award spree is becoming amusing now. Has she returned back to Pakistan? No. Reality check - Her whole family has shifted to the UK & they're never going to come back! The other 2 girls who were with her are also now in the UK. So, my question is - where is her bravery when she has abandoned her hometown? Is she back in Swat for her friends & other girls who want to study or are studying? She was fortunate to get away with his life and her father, who worked for some NGO in Swat, cashed on to this opportunity! I blame the handlers of Malala not her. West just needed a face against the Taliban, otherwise she didn't achieve anything close to what Arfa did, & they're going to groom her for probable future role in Pakistani politics.
Thank you Her Majesty.Malala is our valuable jewel.You and the British Govt. gave her a very kind treatment.We are extremely grateful.Thank you.
A star fell from the sky on a springboard(Pakistan)! Twice as fast it is on its way back to touch the high sky! Sweet Malala enjoy this wonderful flight of success and always live in peace and happiness!
But..................................
Never forget your home, where your cradle stood, because in the foreign land we can find no other homeland!
Noble price should go to people like Abdul Sattar Edhi. Who has given his entire life to serve humanity.
Malala you will gather much much more honours and laurels.Inshaallah soon you will become a Nobel Laureate, another pride for us all and our country.Do not be concerned due to your ill wishers. Persian poet Urfi said: Awaz-e- sagan kam na kunad rizq-e gada ra. Best of luck.
Chances are extremely high that Malala will win the peace nobel prize;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PicyVoV0IOA
Best of luck Malala
Malala is a good child. That is all she is. Please don't elevate her to a saintly status just because you hate the Taliban. Leave her alone and recognize the angel, Abdus Sattar Eidhi.If anyone from Pakistan deserves the peace prize, it is undoubtedly him.
@Anjaan: Taliban Khan's marriage with a British women and his kids growing up in England is also extension of this legacy. True or false?
Expect Tribune it seem on one is interested in Malala in Pakistan
Those who are opposing Malala s success are actually jealous of the fact that why they we're did not get her place. Secondly our intelligentsia has always sold conspiracy theories and boy we love to buy conspiracy. Trust me if they launch a conspiracy theory that heat waves in June and July are artificially initiated by America or Israel we would not buy it rather might stage rallies against this cruel act. It is ironic that in 80 s Afghan war was purely Islamic and Pakistan's own war. But the continuation of same war became Jewish and American in 2000. Perhaps for the reason that now different people were getting money. So people please wake up and use your rational faculty. Do not be a receptive activist of propaganda. Malala's acts are praiseworthy, have some guts and heart to admit her success.
Whole world respects this brave girl except ignorant Pakistani mullahs.
Taliban Khan supporters are jealous of this little princess. Shame on them.
But beti of pakistan will remain afiya siddiqui.............
She is definitely going to win Nobel Peace Prize. She has great achievements for peace, just like President Obama.
hey if getting shot in the face brings u so much fame then shoot away people.....and ppl supporting her for her "courageous" acts let me ask u this how exactly did she confront terrorism? did she defeat mulla umer in a one on one combat? did she negotiate peace for the northern province of pakistan? no all she did was get shot in the face and then run off to the west asking for asylum? u know who really deserves the peace prize from pakistan abdussattar edhi the man has practically given everything he had for the sake of humanity
@Syed A. Mateen wrote "I have doubts that Malala will not be able to win the Nobel Peace Prize. I have all the reasons to believe that but at this point I don’t want to elaborate on my views publicly. However, once the name of Nobel Peace Prize winner is declared, I will write on this issue."
Hind sight is 20/20. Please enlighten the readers now with the deep intellectual reason and any divine communique you may have received.
@Suleman:
I know. It should have been Afia Siddiqui, Mumtaz Qadri or Mullah Omer. Must be a western conspiracy.
@Ali: Who needs betterment and progress when so called perfection was achieved in the 7th century.
@Ali: That's why today's islam is at odds with the humanity.
She should be made President of Pakistan. I don't know why she is being given all this attention.
A Nobel girl with a noble cause, wish she win the Nobel peace prize to set an example. Although we Pakistani cannot fully appreciate you due to our inherent relation with Taliban but again I dare to congratulate you here brave lady.
It's funny that the so called "enemies of Islam" are the greatest contributors to the betterment of humanity.
We are so PROUD of you Malala. Wish you all the very best!
I have doubts that Malala will not be able to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
I have all the reasons to believe that but at this point I don't want to elaborate on my views publicly.
However, once the name of Nobel Peace Prize winner is declared, I will write on this issue.
you tried to kill her, disowned and threw her out, she is not a paki anymore, why are u making her front page news.
When does she study????One award after another.........More like a celebrity........
hahahaha... I thought Pakistani media only has time to discuss malala.. but Queen Elizabeth too has not work to do so she invited Malala.... I am unable to control my laugh ..
Enough ALREADYYY PLEASEEEE. I totally support Malala, i sympathize\e with her on everything. I hate what TTP barbarians did to her, and i am sooo proud of her achievements but this is getting too dull now. Alot of other things are getting out of control in our country, and well, i personally think, Malala since she got to stay in London, and study, she is safe, thank God for that, now it is please time to move on and look for the million other Malalas suffering in Pakistan.
I don't understand why they have made malala a celebrity figure! She was not a speaker for education niether an activist! It was a basic west journalist interview getting school children's views! the Taliban never liked her statement made via tv! after that she's been made a millionaire lol what's the world coming to' why is she being given the Nobel Peace prize award? There's many figures in the uk who deserve it only difference is they not been recognised! I think this should stop she's not an iconic figure at all! her n her family are sponging the system n taking free handouts for interviews! it's disgusting I am a Pakistani Muslim n think this has gone to far
No dought she is symbal of bravery.She made us proud. But not taking away any appreciation which she deserve, i think people who recognized her bravery and valour should be more appreciated,
You are the pride of Pakistan. Long Live Malala, Long Live Pakistan. I know there will be a lot of your countrymen who will be downplaying your achievement. Just ignore them and keep on the good work of spreading awareness about lack of girl's education in certain parts of the world. Pakistanis who criticize you are either jealous of your achievments or are simply bigots who syphatise with the Taliban.
Meanwhile in her own country people venting hate.
Instead of Kayani, appoint Malala as ambassador to USA. She will do much better job.