Mission Accomplished: Malala’s Victory!
By Dr Soaliha Ahmed
Karachi, Pakistan
Thank you, Malala’s Assailants! Because of your cowardly act, Malala Yousuf Zai has accomplished her mission. Although she had been campaigning tirelessly for peace and girls’ education in her area since the last few years, only a few people were aware of her mission. On October 9, 2012 when the representatives of ignorance shot at this fourteen-year old innocent girl, her message spread like wild fire to every nook and corner of Pakistan. People could hear her message again and again on every TV channel, and could read it in every newspaper of the country. People came to know what the Qur’an and Hadith really say about women’s education. People came to know that those who would deny women their basic human rights, including the right to educate themselves, have nothing to do with Islam: they belong to the jahilia, the age of ignorance.
After the incident, candlelight processions displaying Malala’s message were taken out in almost all the big cities of Pakistan. As a result her message reached even illiterate persons as well as those who were opposed to girls’ education. By giving her blood, Malala has conveyed her message to all concerned. Thank you, assailants, for helping Malala spread her message! Congratulations, Malala! Now you have accomplished your mission. With the heartfelt prayers of all Pakistanis, including innocent children, God willing, you will come back hale and hearty to see a re-awakened tribal area determined to join the forces of enlightenment and progress in Pakistan.
(The writer is a former Professor of Botany at the University of Karachi. Since her retirement some years back, she and her husband, Dr. Akhlaq Ahmed, have opened up their home as an institution to coach boys and girls from the under-privileged areas of Karachi. The institution is free of cost to the children, and is supported by donations from family and friends. Highly-qualified volunteer teachers help in running this institution).
