OSLO: Malala Yousafzai, who became the youngest ever winner of the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, made a high-level peacemaking move after sharing the award with India's Kailash Satyarthi for championing children's rights.
The 17-year-old girls' education activist - who heard of her win during a chemistry lesson at her school in Birmingham, England - invited the prime ministers of India and Pakistan to the ceremony in Oslo in December, where she and the 60-year-old Indian activist will receive the award.
"The award is for all the children who are voiceless, whose voices need to be heard," she told a press conference held at the end of the school day so she wouldn't miss class.
Malala has lived in Britain since she was brought there for treatment after being shot in the head in 2012 by the Taliban near her home in Swat for her advocacy of the right of girls to go to school.
The selection of such a young winner was bound to make headlines, but it also came amid news that 17 civilians died in the worst violence in decades in the disputed Kashmir region between India and Pakistan.
Malala did not miss the significance of the moment, paying tribute to her co-winner anti-child labour activist Satyarthi and inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to celebrate their joint win.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said the duo had been chosen for their struggle against the repression of children and young people and "for the right of all children to education".
"Through her heroic struggle Malala has become a leading spokesperson for girls' rights to education," the committee said.
Standing on a box so she could reach the podium, the teenager joked that the Nobel would not help in her exams or in arguments with her young brothers. And she paid emotional tribute to her father, "who did not clip my wings".
Joyful Pakistanis celebrated her receiving the prestigious award in her home town of Mingora with dancing, singing and the sharing of cakes.
Ayesha Khalid, who was at school with Malala, said: "It's not Malala alone winning this award, the girls of Pakistan have won it...(she) is the light of our eyes and the voice of our heart.
"She has proved that you can't put a halt to education by blowing up schools."
Satyarthi, who founded a consumer campaign in the 1980s to combat child labour in the handmade carpet industry, said he was "delighted", calling the Nobel prize "recognition of our fight for child rights".
The low-profile activist heads the Global March Against Child Labor, a combination of some 2,000 social groups and union organisations in 140 countries. He is credited with helping tens of thousands of children forced into slavery by businessmen, landowners and others to gain their freedom.
"Something which was born in India has gone global and now we have a global movement against child labour," he told Indian television.
Pakistan's premier Sharif called Malala the "pride" of his country.
"Her achievement is unparallelled and unequalled. Girls and boys of the world should take the lead from her struggle and commitment," he told AFP in a statement.
US President Barack Obama also congratulated her, saying he was "awe-struck by her courage".
The head of the UN educational organization UNESCO praised both winners, saying the awarding of the peace prize "sends out a resounding message to the world on the importance of education for building peaceful and sustainable societies".
"Kailash Satyarthi is a close friend of UNESCO and has been at the forefront of the global movement to end child slavery and exploitative child labour since 1980," UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said.
"Malala stands with us in the struggle for universal education, especially for girls," Bokova said.
"Our consideration has been to highlight the young who have stood up... and the old who have worked for years against child labour and for children's rights," chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Thorbjoern Jagland said.
"We have noticed that she has received a long line of other prizes.... The most important thing in the fight against extremism is to give young people hope," he added.
Since her brush with death, Malala has become an international star. She received a standing ovation in July 2013 for an address to the United Nations General Assembly in which she vowed she would never be silenced.
She will travel to Canada later this month to become an honorary citizen, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said after the Nobel prize announcement.
Malala was named an honorary Canadian a year ago and will visit the country on October 22 to receive citizenship, Harper said.
She is only the sixth person to become an honorary Canadian; the others include the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi.
COMMENTS (38)
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@Hari Om: "The Noble Peace Prize ceremony is not being hosted by Malala Yousafzai, her family or her clan making her to be in a position to go around handing out invitations." She's a teenager, not a diplomat. These sort of things can be overlooked.
Biggest irony of its times. While the two armies continue to train their guns at each other, a citizen each from the warring countries share noble prize for peace. Can we pause for a moment, stop the usual bickering and rejoice collectively as common citizens of the sub-continent for the honour that has been bestowed on the two citizens? And the fact is that by awarding the coveted prize to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousufzai, the noble has regained some of its sheen which it had lost when barrack Obama was conferred the award last year. I'm sure Obama himself would've been surprised as to what has he done to deserve the award!! While death and life, hatred and love or good and bad will continue to fight against each other, it is always the goodness or act of love which will be remembered and continue to inspire people for generations. Nobody remembers those who tried to kill Malala or those who subjected many children to untold misery, but people will remember Malala and Satyarthi for defying all odds and believing in themselves. We all can not be great but we can always attach ourselves to those who have been great even if for a fleeting moment. Hence let all righteous or shall i say sensible people from India and Pakistan, congratulate and pray for well being of malala and Satyarthi. God knows when will it be again, whether it will ever happen again in the future in our life times that such an honour will be jointly conferred to Indian and Pakistan. God Bless Malala And Satyarthi.
Malala is the product of Western media. Her achievement before being shot was zilch. Western money and media made her an icon and she was given the Nobel prize. It also speaks volumes about the organisation that awards these prizes. Nobel prize is meant to be given for a life time work that can change ( for the better) lives of many many people. An organisation that does not recognise Mahatma Gandhi or Edhi, insults them by giving it to Malala. She talks about women's right to education, yet she herself is not particularly educated. Living in Birmingham she talks about girls in education, she has done absolutely nothing for girls back in her own home town. West has long recognised the equal rights of women not only in education but in all fields. Compare her with Mother Teresa for example. She is not needed here in Birmingham and enjoy a protected life of luxury at British tax payer's money. She MUST go back and earn her claim to fame. A Nobel for a single shot and treatment in UK are not a sufficient reason for such fame, money, comfort and proximity to the world's most powerful.
@Timorlane: Not that difficult stop thinking of terrorists as good and bad love and respect all Pakistanis irrespective of there religious/ linguistic sect and the world will come around .It would help if you can tolerate Indians, Americans, Israelis ...........
@Bewildered I agree with you that most Indians (myself included) did not know about Mr. Satyarthi before he received the nobel. But pray elaborate how that entitles you to comment on the "character of Indians" on the whole. Its not very different from what your forefathers have been doing when they talk about "Hindu Baniya", "Muh me ram bagal me chhuri" etc. The moment you say this even once in your life, you lose the right to question the so called "Islamophobia". Calling others names does not make you great by default. Just go to the various blogs of this very paper and look at the number of pakistanis who have been calling Mr. Satyarthi names just because he is an Indian without even checking what he does. Does that tell me something about Pakistani character? And btw, Indians like Malala much more than Pakistanis do. I am yet to see an Indian who does not have admiration for her.
@Golden Words:
Well, then the simple answer is again what I have already said earlier "Just to make Indians jealous, I guess (check the ‘Recommend’ number)", though I have much much more to say, but then why should I waste my time writing the same stuff which is already on the net and a simple Google search could reveal it to those interested in knowing. By the way, you conveniently skipped answering the equally import second part of my previous comment, proving the truthfulness of my observation about Indians character as mentioned in its last sentence.
Dear Readers & Bloggers, This is not about Pakistani or Indian; we all have to understand that the criteria is based on reasons not known to lay public especially in countries like Pakistan and India. I too am surprised as a Pakistani why Malala when there are many others
My question to Malala followers; Why so far Abdul Sattar Edhi didn't receive any or many others like who are dedicated to such work?
I believe Malala is an over rated person!
While Satuarthi has been congratulated by his PM, no such thing from PM of Pakistan for Malala. Sad.
He needs army/ISI's permission.
The Noble Peace Prize ceremony is not being hosted by Malala Yousafzai, her family or her clan making her to be in a position to go around handing out invitations. Against that background her invitation to Prime Minister Modi is presumptuous. Malala needs to learn a lesson in humility and manners from Kailash Satyarthi who said "Malala's request yesterday is a political and diplomatic issue... I am nobody to invite the PMs of India and Pakistan... I know my limits," :
'Am Nobody to Invite PM, Know My Limits': Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/am-nobody-to-invite-pm-know-my-limits-nobel-laureate-kailash-satyarthi-605314
Malala has achieved the highest honor that any living Pakistani has while still in her teens. Real heroes do not start working till after retirement age. All great talent becomes obvious way before they come of an age. Malala would reach great heights for the poor and women of the world irrespective or where they live and what their religion and ethnicity is. It is sad but only some of our countrymen who are trying to belittle and criticize her. It is the whole world which is the better judge not a few jealous.
Malala has become the symbol for the rights of girls to education not only in the most consevative Pakhtun communities but also in the wider world. The Nobel Prize Committee regards her act also as the symbolic action to enhance world peace. The latter is a challenge for all and one hopes that it will not backfire as their former choice awarding peace prize to the War President of the USA?
Rex Minor
@Bewildered Thanks for the link. But I find that she is saying exactly what I was saying.... it is too early to get this award. Her words about not receiving Nobel last year: " "I think that it's really an early age," Malala said. She wanted to do more to earn it first. "I would feel proud, when I would work for education, when I would have done something, when I would be feeling confident to tell people, 'Yes! I have built that school; I have done that teachers' training, I have sent that (many) children to school,' " she said. "Then if I get the Nobel Peace Prize, I will be saying, Yeah, I deserve it, somehow."
This is exactly what I meant.
Dear Raj-USA I know Malala is only 17years. I have no objection for her to receive Nobel, but not NOW. Let her achieve something, like 100% or 90% or atleast 70% of of Swat girls going to school because of her efforts. Let her do something to achieve that. All I mean is only talking should not be the criteria to get Nobel.
@Bewildered: Agree with your comment. This brave-heart from Pakistan is the most deserving candidate for this prestigious award than many who have been awarded in the past. Well, many soldiers die in a war but only the chosen ones who show exemplary courage against the enemy are awarded with Nishan e Haider or Param Vir Chakra medals. Malala was shot by one of the most barbaric and ferocious terrorists organisation when she dared to speak against their injustices and right to education. How many in Pakistan showed this exemplary courage to speak against Taliban's injustices as majority of them including the top politicians out of fear became their apologists and even defended their barbarities. This award to Malala is a slap on the face of the terrorists who are destroying schools and indulging in oppression to promote their twisted ideology throughout the world. She is already a role model for many young people and this award would motivate them to stand against all types of injustices in future.
@Golden Words: Malala is just 17 and you expect her to to have a track record of 34 years of work.
@Golden Words: Dude, why don't you put an 'AND' between the following facts you quoted and reread to enlighten yourself: "she gave some inspirational speeches and wrote some blogs for bbc". AND "Yes, she was shot and survived,". I agree that there are many out there who bear the brunt of terrorism, survive and also try to raise their voice. But don't you appreciate the unique circumstance of Malala? Even if she is among the many out there, why does it bother you so much? BTW it was not her decision to share Nobel prize with Mr Satyarthi. Kindly don't compare the two recipients as Malala herself acknowledges the great work done by Mr Satyarthi.
@goggi (Lahore): Modi is not a career politician. Until the age of 51 he had not contested a single election. He is committed to national service. He is also very frugal and spends very little on himself, nor has he made any attempt to enrich his relatives or provide positions to people based on personal loyalty. His dedication o the country alllows him to work 15 ours a day, for years at an end without becoming tired or burnt out. No comparison between Modi and Nawaz.
Our PMs did not meet on the sidelines at UN; they can now meet on the sidelines at awards ceremony. The two got a chance to set a new trend :-)
Congrats Malala; well done.
@Golden Words:
"Can someone actually enlighten me why Malala got a Nobel prize. Please, I dont intend to offend anyone, I just want to know."
Just to make Indians jealous, I guess (check the 'Recommend' number). Perhaps this might help enlighten you a little bit "Malala's journey from near death to the Nobel Peace Prize" -- CNN. By the way, did you, or most Indians for that matter, even know who Mr. Satyarthi was, or what he did worthy of Nobel prize before being named, or what prizes had he ever won before? I know honesty is not Indians favorite, but still hoping to get answer.
@Golden Words: Yours are golden words , indeed. Hers is a case of too much too soon.
From Nawaz of Gullu League to Malala to English "Pakistani" press no one is ready to unconditionally and only support this unfortunate country named Pakistan
@Gp65:
Not that I am fan of my PM but our PM had congratulated Malala moments after she was honored with the Noble prize. The interior minister had also congratulated her in the beginning of his media conference on Indian aggression in the border areas.
@Golden Words:
Educate yourself about the subject.
She was shot for advocating female education and even after being shot, she continued to advocate. She is a symbol for the struggle of universal education in the face of countless obstacles, a symbol of hope for hundreds of thousands of children worldwide and a rally point for education proponents in Pakistan.
@Golden Words: you have a point, But such hidden reason for Noble price had always been there.
Can someone actually enlighten me why Malala got a Nobel prize. Please, I dont intend to offend anyone, I just want to know.
Yes, she was shot and survived, but thousands of children are shot/bombed/droned and survive in pakistan, palestine, africa etc etc. So no outstanding acheivement here. After recovering did she come back to swat? No. She preferred to stay safely in London.
Yes, she gave some inspirational speeches and wrote some blogs for bbc. But there are so many inspirational speakers out there, so no outstanding acheivement here too. I think she got because the West loves to show a muslim girl as a sufferer of injustice in islamic countries.
Compare to Mr Satyarthi. He worked on the ground for 34 years to rescue children. He survived attacks for factory owners goons and police. He raided factories and saved 77,000 children from bonded slavery and educated them. To equate Satyarthi and Malala seems inappropriate to me.
She is already talking in her Master's voice.
The difference between Malala and such career politicians is the difference between an eagle and a vulture!
What a thoughtful gesture to invite both PMs as a peace building measure.Hope PM Modi will attend the ceremony & shed his anti-secular,hindutva image & show internationally that he is the secular & just leader of Gandhiji's democratic,progressive,tolerant nation & extend a hand of diplomacy,peace & friendship to Pakistan.
I'm so proud and happy for Malala. Congratulations to all Pakistani people on having the youngest ever Nobel peace prize winner.
Just as Malala invited PMof both countries, Modi congratulated oth Satyarthi and Malala. Nawaz congratulated neither.
While Satuarthi has been congratulated by his PM, no such thing from PM of Pakistan for Malala. Sad.
That 17 yr old has got a lot more sense than a whole lot of foggies
Well Done, Malaya!
Most probably PM Nawaz Sharif will rush to take part in this ceremony because he don't miss any chance of foreign trip at the cost of billions rupees of this poor nation.