What an outstanding bright young girl Malala is! A definitely admirable journey from Swat valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan to Oslo, Norway. Congratulations to her for this monumental achievement of perseverance, determination and ambition of human right.

My utmost respect to Malala Yousafzai and her father Ziauddin Yousafzai who encouraged Malala to be who she is today; she is a Nobel Peace Prize winner. What a significant contribution to hopes of every single Malalas from everywhere in the world.

I wonder what Bill Maher has to say about this after his blanket comment regarding Muslim countries. I wonder he would dare to ignore the achievements of Malala and Ziauddin. Within last ten year, few Nobel Peace Prize winners are Shirin Ebadi (2003), Mohamed ElBaradei (2005), Muhammad Yunus (2006), Tawakkol Karman (2011), Malala Yousafzai (2014). It would be interesting to see if Bill Maher can find anything in common within all these five people other than the fact that all of them won Nobel Peace Prize.

Interesting discussion point is that some brought up the topic if the Noble Prize to Malala a Political reason or a true recognition. It does make me wonder as well what are the reasons sometimes Nobel Peace Prizes are given. Only thing I can think of is that Nobel Peace Prize is not only for what had already been accomplished but it is also intended for what are to be accomplished yet. An example is that Muhammad Yunus can help Grameen Bank more since he won Noble price.

A very interesting fact is that if you notice, 5 Muslims won Noble Peace Prize in last decade, overwhelmingly the majority from any particular religion. The reason solely can’t be any hidden politics. It is also that some Muslims are making some significant differences. The Muslims around the world should be proud of this. It is the liberal and educated side of Humanity!

Malala was a child (she still is one) when was shot in the face for going to school. No child deserved to be shot for any reason. Despite her struggle she continued to go to school. What a great example that is! Quran’s first word is “Ikra” for everyone for a reason; not only for men. Quran provides her right to be educated. She followed her right despite threats to her life.

It is her recognition for her perseverance and thrust for education, a prime fundamental right for everyone and commanded by the magical divine word “Ikra”.

Women are oppressed many parts of the world; not just in Muslim world but someone like Malala proves to us that it is possible overcome limitations that society brings to one in the misleading disguise of religion, culture and tradition.

In her book, Malala indicates the impacts of Ziauddin Yousafzai in her life. Ziauddin is a father, a teacher, an activist and a devoted Muslim. He is a father who fought to establish the rights for her own daughter. He is a father who fought to demonstrate the world the value of education. I am confident that Malala and Ziauddin hold the true essence of Islam.

Anyway, her book is a must read now, if it was not already by any chance.

October 10^th, 2014

Chicago