Chorus of peace: K-P erupts in joy over Malala’s Nobel triumph
Dances, drummers and declarations of peace welcome news of Nobel prize
MINGORA/PESHAWAR/LAHORE:
“It feels like Eid all over again!” exclaimed little girls in Malala Yousafzai’s hometown of Mingora, when they heard the news of the 17-year-old’s Nobel Peace Prize win. “This is the happiest day in the history of Swat and Pakistan, because a small girl has won a prize for her efforts,” said Gulranga Ali, a former schoolmate.
As locals distributed sweets and 11-year-old Marjan Bibi cut a white pineapple cream cake donated by a local bakery, Malala’s teachers paid rich tribute to their student. “We feel immense pride. This proves that hard work never goes to waste,” said Ms Husna, a teacher at Khushal Public School.
Malala’s friends said the award was an achievement and a victory for all girls. “I feel so proud Malala is representing Pakistan and her award proves that Swatis and Pakistanis are not behind anyone in this world,” said Rida Salman, a school friend.
Social activists praised the award-winner’s struggle for education. “She spread the message of peace during war time and today she proved that we are not extremists but peace-loving people,” said Neelam Chattan, a resident of Swat.
At the Peshawar Press Club, chants of “Long live Malala” broke out at an impromptu celebration upon hearing the news of the win. “The world has admitted that Pakistanis are not just terrorists and extremists, but people who have been held hostage to those who are promoting violence,” said participants at the event.
“The award is a matter of pride not just for Pakhtuns but for peace-loving people throughout the country,” said ANP Central Secretary General Mian Iftikhar Hussain. He urged the government to declare a national holiday to mark the occasion and promised that the ANP would organise a ‘grand celebration’ in honour of Malala.
Celebrations continued as participants of the event marched from Peshawar Press Club to Saddar, chanting slogans against terrorism and dancing as drummers joined the rally.
In other parts of the country, the news was celebrated, albeit with a bittersweet edge. “I hope the people of Pakistan have the courage and integrity to one day give Malala protection and safety to live in her own country,” remarked human rights activist Hina Jillani, who also paid tribute to the other Nobel laureate Dr Abdus Salam.
“There are thousands of Malalas in Pakistan and she stands for all of them,” said Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) Regional Head Salman Abid. “We should all struggle for the right to education for girls and I am hopeful that this award will encourage us to do so.”
“This award is an achievement for all minority groups in Pakistan,” said rights activist Napoleon Qayyum. “She has rekindled hope among minority groups that things in Pakistan can be changed through struggle and hard work.”
Leaders across the political spectrum congratulated Yousafzai as well. “She has won laurels for Pakistan all over the world by playing a leading role at such an early age,” said National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. PPP leader Sherry Rehman tweeted that she was “overjoyed” at the news and praised “the power of an unarmed girl.” “It is equally an honour for the people of Pakistan and especially of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Fata,” remarked Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan.
The head of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan tweeted, “Proud as a Pakistani for Malala’s Nobel prize, especially for the cause of education, which must be our national priority.” Meanwhile, the Punjab government has announced that a new university in the province will be named in honour of Malala.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2014.
“It feels like Eid all over again!” exclaimed little girls in Malala Yousafzai’s hometown of Mingora, when they heard the news of the 17-year-old’s Nobel Peace Prize win. “This is the happiest day in the history of Swat and Pakistan, because a small girl has won a prize for her efforts,” said Gulranga Ali, a former schoolmate.
As locals distributed sweets and 11-year-old Marjan Bibi cut a white pineapple cream cake donated by a local bakery, Malala’s teachers paid rich tribute to their student. “We feel immense pride. This proves that hard work never goes to waste,” said Ms Husna, a teacher at Khushal Public School.
Malala’s friends said the award was an achievement and a victory for all girls. “I feel so proud Malala is representing Pakistan and her award proves that Swatis and Pakistanis are not behind anyone in this world,” said Rida Salman, a school friend.
Social activists praised the award-winner’s struggle for education. “She spread the message of peace during war time and today she proved that we are not extremists but peace-loving people,” said Neelam Chattan, a resident of Swat.
At the Peshawar Press Club, chants of “Long live Malala” broke out at an impromptu celebration upon hearing the news of the win. “The world has admitted that Pakistanis are not just terrorists and extremists, but people who have been held hostage to those who are promoting violence,” said participants at the event.
“The award is a matter of pride not just for Pakhtuns but for peace-loving people throughout the country,” said ANP Central Secretary General Mian Iftikhar Hussain. He urged the government to declare a national holiday to mark the occasion and promised that the ANP would organise a ‘grand celebration’ in honour of Malala.
Celebrations continued as participants of the event marched from Peshawar Press Club to Saddar, chanting slogans against terrorism and dancing as drummers joined the rally.
In other parts of the country, the news was celebrated, albeit with a bittersweet edge. “I hope the people of Pakistan have the courage and integrity to one day give Malala protection and safety to live in her own country,” remarked human rights activist Hina Jillani, who also paid tribute to the other Nobel laureate Dr Abdus Salam.
“There are thousands of Malalas in Pakistan and she stands for all of them,” said Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) Regional Head Salman Abid. “We should all struggle for the right to education for girls and I am hopeful that this award will encourage us to do so.”
“This award is an achievement for all minority groups in Pakistan,” said rights activist Napoleon Qayyum. “She has rekindled hope among minority groups that things in Pakistan can be changed through struggle and hard work.”
Leaders across the political spectrum congratulated Yousafzai as well. “She has won laurels for Pakistan all over the world by playing a leading role at such an early age,” said National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. PPP leader Sherry Rehman tweeted that she was “overjoyed” at the news and praised “the power of an unarmed girl.” “It is equally an honour for the people of Pakistan and especially of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Fata,” remarked Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan.
The head of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan tweeted, “Proud as a Pakistani for Malala’s Nobel prize, especially for the cause of education, which must be our national priority.” Meanwhile, the Punjab government has announced that a new university in the province will be named in honour of Malala.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2014.