It is quite a horror and unbelievable story of a fifteen years old girl who was shot very badly by the Taliban. Who are the Taliban?, Why they shot a young girl?, And for what? are the common questions that arise on everyone’s mind immediately by knowing that. So were on my mind.
I am Malala is a wonderful book which is written by an activist of female education Malala Yusufzai. The writer has written about herself in this book or we can say it is her biography. It is about the story of bravery, strength, and an adventurous work of a young girl for education.
Malala was born in Swat valley, one of the places in Pakistan. Just a few neighbors had congratulated her parents ZiauddinYusufzai(her father) and Tor Pekai Yusufzai(her mother) because the newly born baby was a girl instead of a boy. However, her father was a very intelligent person and headmaster of Khusal School. So, he named her Malala with falling in love.
Malala was also going to her father’s own school Khusal. Ziauddin(her father) was the leader of private schools and an activist of education. He used to say that every girl and every boy should go to school. He also used to tell her daughter that she is free as a bird.
Malala’s early childhood was passed in the lap of greenery and beautiful mountains of Swat Valley. But later on, many beautiful places in their valley became devastated by the Taliban.
Especially, the Taliban was a group of terrorists who were killing people and bombing girls’ schools and cities in the name of their religion Islam. They had declared that all girls should wear a burqa and cover their faces, they shouldn’t go to school, boys shouldn’t shave their hair, none can wear fashionable clothes or cosmetic things, etc. If some people stand against them, then they used to kill them very cruelly.
The situation of Pakistan was becoming worst and worst. The Taliban were bombing girl’s schools and killing people in many cities. Their main target for killing were the political leaders, police, army, leaders of any organizations, etc who were against them. All people were scared to go outside or anywhere and to do anything.
Khusal School was also getting girl students. Ziauddin(her father) used to say that education is every child’s basic right whether a girl or a boy. Malala was also strong and brave from her childhood. So, both Malala and her father were attending on several occasions, programs, and also on TV interviews to speak about girl’s education. Malala was the only girl who didn’t use to cover her face. So, they were also targeted people of the Taliban.
Despite the frightening and killing cases of the Taliban, Malala and her father were speaking for girls’ education. Malala was stubborn for girls’ education. It was too risky for their life and family to speak against the Taliban. However, Malala and her father were standing on the battlefield with bravery and hope of peace. Malala was becoming popular as an activist of girl’s education. She got many prizes and also opened a school in her Name ‘Malala’.
These all activities related to Malala were attracting the risk for Malala and her father. On Tuesday 9 October 2012, when Malala was returning home from school by bus with her friends, she was shot on her head near from ear.
At the age of sixteen, she got the Nobel Peace Prize for the fight that she made for education. She is an ideal person for all of us. I knew that we should speak out for our rights whether it is risky or not. Malala’s story shows that if we do the right things for everyone then our fear kneels down automatically like Malala was standing for education that means against the Taliban but she was not scared at all.
This book does not only shows the bravery of Malala but also shows the attachment of love between father and daughter and the whole family. ‘I am the universe of my father’ which was said by Malala when she was at the hospital. I realized that I am also the universe of my parents. While reading the pain of her parents when she was at the hospital, I was feeling that I am sick Malala at the hospital and her parents are my parents.
Anyway, it is an interesting book. I think if you read this book, you will know about life and the people. There are many quotes in this book. Some of these are as follows:-
It doesn’t matter what language you choose, the important thing is the words you use to express yourself.
Only learn what God says. His words are divine messages which you are free and independent to interpret.
Education is education. It is neither Eastern nor Western. It is human.
If one man can destroy everything, why can’t one girl change it?
We realize the importance of our voice only when we are silenced.
One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.
