Celebrations in Swat as PM greets Malala
“The dream of Malala regarding girls’ education shall be realised,” says Nawaz
MINGORA/ISLAMABAD:
Hundreds of people in Malala Yousafzai’s hometown of Swat hailed and cheered as they watched on a giant TV their heroine receive her Nobel Peace Prize, as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif promised the activist’s dream for girls’ education would come true.
Students, activists, teachers, elders and journalists gathered at the auditorium of the Khpal Kor Foundation at Mingora to watch live the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. They gave her a standing ovation for several minutes when she was called to the podium to receive her award.
Security was tight around Mingora, as soldiers and police patrolled the streets and conducted searches on every vehicle entering and leaving.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif congratulated both Malala and Indian child rights campaigner Kailash Satyarthi, who shares this year’s Peace Prize with the 17-year-old. “The dream of Malala regarding girls’ education shall be realised,” Pakistan Radio quoted Nawaz as saying.
President Mamnoon Hussain also felicitated the teenaged activist and said “the nation is proud of Malala Yousafzai and stands by the brave activist for risking her life to fight for children’s rights”.
At the ceremony, residents distributed sweets among themselves in front of giant banners reading ‘You are the pride of Pakistan’ and ‘Congratulations Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai’.
“We really wanted to share the joy of Malala, the daughter of the land, so we invited students, civil society members and local elders to the event,” organiser Ahmad Shah told The Express Tribune. However, he admitted that the turnout was relatively muted because some residents “have spread a negative image of Malala”.
Most government and private schools in Swat began the day with prayers and well wishes for Malala. Adina Ali, an 11-year-old student, told AFP that she was inspired by Malala’s struggle.
“Malala raised her voice for education at a time when girls’ education was banned,” Ali said. “It is because Malala received a Taliban bullet in her head that the girls of Swat are going to school.”
Local teachers said that Malala was truly an inspiration for all girls. “She is an inspiration for all Pakistanis and 70 million Pakhtuns around the world. I’ve brought my students to this event,” teacher Sanaul Haq told The Express Tribune as participants chanted ‘Long live Malala’.
Students at the ceremony said that they also wanted to follow in the footsteps of Malala.
“I cannot express my feelings. I’m overjoyed to see a Pakhtun teenaged girl from Swat making Pakistan proud,” university student Haider Ali told The Express Tribune. “Her matchless struggle is an inspiration for our young generation.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2014.
Hundreds of people in Malala Yousafzai’s hometown of Swat hailed and cheered as they watched on a giant TV their heroine receive her Nobel Peace Prize, as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif promised the activist’s dream for girls’ education would come true.
Students, activists, teachers, elders and journalists gathered at the auditorium of the Khpal Kor Foundation at Mingora to watch live the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. They gave her a standing ovation for several minutes when she was called to the podium to receive her award.
Security was tight around Mingora, as soldiers and police patrolled the streets and conducted searches on every vehicle entering and leaving.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif congratulated both Malala and Indian child rights campaigner Kailash Satyarthi, who shares this year’s Peace Prize with the 17-year-old. “The dream of Malala regarding girls’ education shall be realised,” Pakistan Radio quoted Nawaz as saying.
President Mamnoon Hussain also felicitated the teenaged activist and said “the nation is proud of Malala Yousafzai and stands by the brave activist for risking her life to fight for children’s rights”.
At the ceremony, residents distributed sweets among themselves in front of giant banners reading ‘You are the pride of Pakistan’ and ‘Congratulations Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai’.
“We really wanted to share the joy of Malala, the daughter of the land, so we invited students, civil society members and local elders to the event,” organiser Ahmad Shah told The Express Tribune. However, he admitted that the turnout was relatively muted because some residents “have spread a negative image of Malala”.
Most government and private schools in Swat began the day with prayers and well wishes for Malala. Adina Ali, an 11-year-old student, told AFP that she was inspired by Malala’s struggle.
“Malala raised her voice for education at a time when girls’ education was banned,” Ali said. “It is because Malala received a Taliban bullet in her head that the girls of Swat are going to school.”
Local teachers said that Malala was truly an inspiration for all girls. “She is an inspiration for all Pakistanis and 70 million Pakhtuns around the world. I’ve brought my students to this event,” teacher Sanaul Haq told The Express Tribune as participants chanted ‘Long live Malala’.
Students at the ceremony said that they also wanted to follow in the footsteps of Malala.
“I cannot express my feelings. I’m overjoyed to see a Pakhtun teenaged girl from Swat making Pakistan proud,” university student Haider Ali told The Express Tribune. “Her matchless struggle is an inspiration for our young generation.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2014.