It is quite a shocking and heartbreaking story of a fifteen-year-old girl who was badly shot by the Taliban. Who are the Taliban? Why did they shoot a young girl? And for what? — these are the common questions that come to everyone’s mind. They were the same questions I had, too.
I Am Malala is a powerful book written by Malala Yousafzai, an activist for girls’ education. The book is about her own life — a real story of courage, strength, and a young girl’s fight for the right to go to school.
Malala was born in the Swat Valley, a beautiful place in Pakistan. When she was born, only a few neighbors congratulated her parents — Ziauddin Yousafzai (her father) and Toor Pekai Yousafzai (her mother) — because she was a girl, not a boy. But her father, who was a smart and educated man, loved her deeply and proudly named her Malala.
Malala studied at her father’s school, Khushal School. Her father was the headmaster and also a strong supporter of education. He believed that every child, whether boy or girl, should go to school. He always told Malala that she was free as a bird.
Malala’s early childhood was filled with happiness, surrounded by green hills and the beauty of Swat. But things began to change when the Taliban took control.
The Taliban were a group of terrorists who brought fear and destruction in the name of religion. They bombed girls’ schools, destroyed towns, and announced strict rules: girls must wear a burqa and cover their faces, they couldn’t go to school, boys had to keep beards, and no one could wear stylish clothes or use makeup. Anyone who spoke against them was killed mercilessly.
The situation in Pakistan grew worse day by day. The Taliban were targeting leaders, teachers, police, and anyone who stood against them. People were afraid to leave their homes.
Even during those scary times, Khushal School continued to teach girls. Malala and her father bravely stood up for education. They attended events, spoke on television, and refused to stay silent. Malala didn’t cover her face like other girls, and that made her even more noticeable to the Taliban.
Still, they didn’t give up. Malala was strong and determined. She believed in education for all. Even though it was risky, she and her father kept fighting for what was right. Malala became well known and received awards. She even opened a school in her own name — Malala School.
But all this attention also brought danger. On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, while returning home from school by bus with her friends, Malala was shot in the head near her ear.
At just sixteen, she received the Nobel Peace Prize for her bravery and fight for education. She is a true inspiration. From her story, I learned that we must speak up for our rights, even when it’s dangerous. Malala stood up for what was right, and her courage defeated fear.
This book doesn’t just tell the story of Malala’s bravery, but also shows the deep love between her and her father — and her whole family. When Malala was in the hospital, she said, “I am the universe of my father.” That touched me deeply. I felt like I was Malala in the hospital, and her parents were my own.
Overall, it is a very touching and inspiring book. I truly believe that if you read it, you’ll understand more about life, about people, and about standing up for what’s right.
There are many beautiful and powerful quotes in this book. Here are some of my favorites:
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.
