Page 22 - 2021-bfw-shea-all-2e

the right of education of every child. I want Pashtun society for their own personal benefits.
5
education for the sons and the daughters of all Pakistan is [a] peace-loving democratic country.
the extremists especially the Taliban. Pashtuns want education for their daughters
I do not even hate the Talib who shot me. and sons. And Islam is a religion of peace,
Even if there is a gun in my hand and he stands humanity and brotherhood. Islam says that it is
in front of me[,] I would not shoot him. This is not only each child’s right to get education,
the compassion that I have learnt from rather it is their duty and responsibility.
Muhammad — the prophet of mercy, Jesus Honorable Secretary General, peace is
Changing the World
Christ and Lord Buddha. This is the legacy of necessary for education. In many parts of the
change that I have inherited from Martin Luther world especially Pakistan and Afghanistan,
King, Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali terrorism, wars and conflicts stop children [from
Jinnah. This is the philosophy of non-violence going] to their schools. We are really tired of
that I have learnt from Gandhi Jee, Bacha Khan these wars. Women and children are suffering in
and Mother Teresa. And this is the forgiveness many parts of the world in many ways. In India,
that I have learnt from my mother and father. innocent and poor children are victims of child
This is what my soul is telling me[:] be peaceful labor. Many schools have been destroyed in
and love everyone. Nigeria. People in Afghanistan have been
Dear sisters and brothers, we realize the affected by the hurdles of extremism for
importance of light when we see darkness. We decades. Young girls have to do domestic child
realize the importance of our voice when we are labor and are forced to get married at early age.
silenced. In the same way, when we were in Swat, Poverty, ignorance, injustice, racism and the
the north of Pakistan, we realized the importance deprivation of basic rights are the main
of pens and books when we saw the guns. problems faced by both men and women.
The wise saying, “The pen is mightier than Dear fellows, today I am focusing on
sword” was true. The extremists are afraid of women’s rights and girls’ education because
books and pens. The power of education frightens they are suffering the most. There was a time
them. They are afraid of women. The power of the when women social activists asked men to stand
voice of women frightens them. And that is why up for their rights. But, this time, we will do it by
they killed 14 innocent medical students in the ourselves. I am not telling men to step away
recent attack in Quetta. And that is why they killed from speaking for women’s rights [;] rather I am
many female teachers and polio workers in focusing on women to be independent [and] to
Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa and FATA. That is why fight for themselves.
they are blasting schools every day. Because they Dear sisters and brothers, now it’s time to
were and they are afraid of change, afraid of the speak up.
equality that we will bring into our society. So today, we call upon the world leaders to
I remember that there was a boy in our 15 change their strategic policies in favor of peace
school who was asked by a journalist, “Why are and prosperity.
the Taliban against education?” He answered We call upon the world leaders that all the 20
very simply. By pointing to his book[,] he said, peace deals must protect women and children’s
“A Talib doesn’t know what is written inside this rights. A deal that goes against the dignity of
book.” They think that God is a tiny, little women and their rights is unacceptable.
conservative being who would send girls to […] We call upon all governments to ensure free
hell just because of going to school. The compulsory education for every child all over
terrorists are misusing the name of Islam and the world.
6 6
Copyright © Bedford/St. Martin’s. Uncorrected proofs have been used in this sample chapter.
Distributed by BFW Publishers. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.

sheaall2e_24428_ch05_002_095.indd 6 09/07/20 5:30 PM