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Saturday, July 13, 2013
Malala vows not to be silencedNEW YORK CITY: Malala Yousafzai vowed on Friday not to be silenced by terrorists in a powerful speech to the United Nations on her first public appearance since being shot by the Taliban. “They thought that the bullet would silence us, but they failed,” Malala said on her 16th birthday in a presentation in which she called for books and pens to be used as weapons.
“The terrorists thought that they would change my aims and stop my ambitions, but nothing changed in my life, except this: weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born,” she said.
Her 20-minute speech was given several standing ovations and was quickly hailed for her message of peace.
Malala, who wore a pink headscarf and a shawl that belonged to assassinated Pakistan leader Benazir Bhutto, insisted she did not want “personal revenge” against the Taliban gunman who shot her on a bus in Pakistan’s Swat Valley on October 12 last year.
“I want education for the sons and daughters of the Taliban and all the terrorists and extremists. 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.”
But Malala said, “the extremists were and they are afraid of books and pens, the power of education. The power of education silenced them. They are afraid of women.”
“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,” she said.
The passionate advocate for girls education was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman as she road on a school bus near her home in Pakistan’s Swat Valley in October. Malala is now considered a leading contender for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Taliban have made it clear however that she remains a target. afp
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk