who was shot in the head and neck in an assassination attempt by
Taliban gunmen while returning home on a school bus on 9 October 2012.
She marked her 16th birthday by addressing the United Nations at its
headquarters yesterday Friday July 12th. Read her inspiration speech
below...Thank you to every person who has prayed for my fast recovery
and a new life. I cannot believe how much love people have shown me. I
have received thousands of good wish cards and gifts from all over the
world. Thank you to all of them. Thank you to the children whose
innocent words encouraged me. Thank you to my elders whose prayers
strengthened me.
Dear brothers and sisters, do remember one thing. Malala day is not my
day. Today is the day of every woman, every boy and every girl who
have raised their voice for their rights. I speak - not for myself,
but for all girls and boys.
Dear friends, on October 9, 2012, the Taliban shot me on the left side
of my forehead. They shot my friends too. They thought that the
bullets would silence us. But they failed. And then, out of that
silence came, thousands of voices.
The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and stop our
ambitions but nothing changed in my life except this: Weakness, fear
and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born. I am the
same Malala. My ambitions are the same. My hopes are the same. My
dreams are the same.
Dear sisters and brothers, I am not against anyone. Neither am I here
to speak in terms of personal revenge against the Taliban or any other
terrorists group. I am here to speak up for the right of education of
every child. I want education for the sons and the daughters of all
the extremists especially the Taliban.
I do not even hate the Talib who shot me. Even if there is a gun in my
hand and he stands in front of me. I would not shoot him. This is the
compassion that I have learnt from Muhammad-the prophet of mercy,
Jesus christ and Lord Buddha. This is the legacy of change that I have
inherited from Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali
Jinnah.
The wise saying, "The pen is mightier than sword" was true. The
extremists are afraid of books and pens. The power of education
frightens them. They are afraid of women. The power of the voice of
women frightens them.
That is why they are blasting schools every day. Because they were and
they are afraid of change, afraid of the equality that we will bring
into our society.
They think that God is a tiny, little conservative being who would
send girls to the hell just because of going to school. The terrorists
are misusing the name of Islam and Pashtun society for their own
personal benefits.
Women and children are suffering in many parts of the world in many
ways. In India, innocent and poor children are victims of child
labour. Many schools have been destroyed in Nigeria. People in
Afghanistan have been affected by the hurdles of extremism for
decades.
We call upon the world leaders that all the peace deals must protect
women and children's rights. A deal that goes against the dignity of
women and their rights is unacceptable.
We call upon all governments to ensure free compulsory education for
every child all over the world.
We call upon all governments to fight against terrorism and violence,
to protect children from brutality and harm.
So let us wage a global struggle against illiteracy, poverty and
terrorism and let us pick up our books and pens. They are our most
powerful weapons.
One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world.
Education is the only solution. Education first.
No comments:
Post a Comment