Pakistan Prays for Malala

| by Xavier Patras William

( October 15, 2012, Islamabad, Sri Lanka Guardian) Malala Yousafzai a symbol of peace, education and another face of Pakistan which the world is slowly and gradually learning about.

Malala Yousafzai is a 14 year old peace, education and women rights activist from the mesmerizing Swat valley. Yousafzai gained world`s attention at the age of 11 when the Taliban banned the girls from going to schools in the Swat valley, they destroyed over 400 schools for girls.

She wrote about the atrocities of the Taliban regime and the military operation and her passion for education. She was not afraid to take an initiative for peace and education for women.

She went to the school and encouraged others to go with her, she was awarded the National Youth Peace prize. She said that day, " I dont mind if I have to sit on the floor at school, all I want is education. I am afraid of no one."

On 9th October 2012 armed men intercepted a vehicle returning form the school, identified Malala and shot her in the head and the neck. She was immediately shifted to CMH ( Combined Military Hospital ) where the surgeons removed the bullets.

On 11 October 2012, a panel of Pakistani and British doctors made the decision to move Yousafzai to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi, where she has been unconscious and on a ventilator. The Government of Pakistan has made arrangements to send her abroad on a special air ambulance if needed.

Ehsanullah Ehsan, the chief spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban, officially claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that she is symbolic of obscenity and has spread negative propaganda. They have warned that if she survives, she will targeted again.

The ISPR (Inter Services Public Relations) on Sunday termed Malala Yousafzai's condition satisfactory and that it was witnessing a steady improvement.  It said that Yousafzai was taken off the ventilator for some time and was later placed back on it.  The ISPR also said that the option to send her abroad for further treatment was being considered.

Malala Yousafzai has united the Pakistani nation, everyone is praying for her survival. The civil society and the human rights organizations across the Country held special prayers for her. Over 75 Clerics have condemned the attack on Malala.

Life for All Pakistan organized a special prayer at the Cathedral Church In Lahore,  women and children lit candles to express solidarity with Malala. Speaking at the special prayer Rizwan Paul the Vice President said, 'Malala has become a symbol of unity and peace, we condemn extremism. She is an inspiration for millions for highlighting the importance of education. Today people from all faiths are praying for her recovery."

Kamran John the General Sectary  said," Targeting children is the most cowardly and condemnable act, their action has shown their weakness and that they fear a 14 year old. Standing up for what you believe is a very brave act, she took this stand at the age of 11, this is courage. It is Ironic that the attack on Malala took place the same week as the first International Day of the Girl Child. Malala has shown more courage in facing down the Taliban than Pakistan's government "

Life for All Pakistan issued a press release, "Rimsha Masih and Malala Yousafzai gained the international attention, both 14 years old have become a symbol of change, both have given the Pakistani nation to think about certain things, it is about time to choose the sides,  will we allow the Pakistani society to live in fear or will we stand against extremism, a 14 year old took an initiative, she denied being deprived of her right to education. Will we allow the girls to be victimized or will we be on Gul Makai`s side ( Malala used the name Gul Makai to write her dairy, Gul Makai means corn flower)… Malala means “grief stricken,” but she became Gul Makai  a symbol of resistance to extremism at the age of 11.  Will we become a part of this change and back up her stand or will we allow the darkness to prevail. "