The eloquent, poised speech from Malala Yousufzai at the UN Headquarters to mark a day named after her – and on her 16th birthday – should have filled us all with pride.
Few teenagers possess the maturity Malala demonstrated and even fewer have moved the world as she has. We should be proud she comes from our country, and should certainly stand ashamed of what was inflicted on her and her schoolmates last year. The events in Swat on October 9, 2012 should have – in the first place – created a much bigger response amongst us. They, however, did not and the same confusion, the same dichotomy in mindset, was reflected after her UN speech.
For a number of warped reasons, Malala Yousufzai has become an object of controversy rather than admiration. As a nation we are well-versed in the art of pulling people down to the ground, rather than helping rise them up and stand tall. This is what we have tried to do to Malala. Even though we desperately need heroes – male and female – who can act as role models, we refuse to accept Malala as someone who can play this part. This may be because to some degree we are unwilling to accept a young girl, indeed a mere child, as a symbol of courage and inspiration. But the problem goes beyond this.
First, there are the conspiracy theories; the ‘suspicions’ that the whole incident may have been faked, with western support, to ‘damage’ Pakistan. It would appear some people actually believe the shooting incident was staged. There have been suggestions, from those one would have considered perfectly reasonable people, that there is ‘more’ to the Malala story than meets the eye. This story begins, essentially, with a bullet in the head. They do not explain if Malala and her parents deliberately allowed her to be shot, leaving behind extensive damage that could so easily have killed her. How can there be more to this sequence of events?
It is hard to understand such thinking, harder still to analyse it. We have simply developed a diseased, twisted mindset in which anything or anyone praised by the west is considered evil. This thinking is driven on by leaders, such as those from both the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl, who questioned last year if the child had been shot at all. This while she was undergoing emergency surgery in Peshawar and then, on medical advice, was whisked away to the UK for further care in an air ambulance provided by the UAE.
Her distraught father, Ziauddin Yousufzai, was quickly portrayed as a ‘dollar digger’, presumably one who had his own daughter and her friends shot. No one who has met the determined schoolteacher from Swat – a valiant fighter against the Taliban, a man known in Mingora as a quiet humanitarian helping many however he could and an obviously devoted father who is proud of his eldest child – would believe this for even a moment.
Still more shocking has been the response after the speech. Yes, there has been some openhearted praise and a sense of pride. But this seems to come from a minority group. The BBC and other online sites broadcasting the speech were flooded with snide, openly hostile comments and abusive comments even before the speech ended. Most accused Malala of being a ‘US stooge’ or agent. Others asked why she had not spoken about drone strikes – an entirely irrelevant issue, given her focus on promoting universal education – and around many of the remarks the ugly, green snake of jealousy seemed to have wrapped itself, grudging Malala the global attention and standing ovations she received, rather than celebrating this as a national success.
Beyond sections of the English language media, coverage was largely muted. In some cases the speech, which made global headlines, was relegated to inside pages even by mainstream publications. While there were touching pictures of schoolchildren in England crying as they heard the speech, describing Malala as an ‘idol’, no such images seemed to come from her own homeland.
Even people who one would expect would know better reacted in an odd fashion. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, rather unwisely, tweeted from a personal Twitter account, commenting that the speech was tailor-made for global audiences. Since Malala was addressing the UN, a speech suitable for an international audience was only appropriate. The comment from the CM was removed some time later as criticism poured in – alongside support from his many Twitter followers.
The PML-N has pointed out that this was not Shahbaz Sharif’s official account. However, he has used the account often and it is his opinion as a leader that is relevant. The remark simply reinforces suspicions regarding certain political parties’ thinking, sometimes hidden behind a thin veneer of ‘progressiveness’.
The president of the country, Asif Ali Zardari – in his official capacity – felicitated Malala after her speech. Some PPP and ANP figures are reported to have at least sent personal messages. No other major political figure or leader of a party did so. The lack of comment from the prime minister, the education minister and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister were perhaps particularly obvious – glaring omissions that reflect the broader state of thinking in the country.
Clearly, something has gone very wrong with a nation that hesitates to promote education or welcome open-heartedly those who do. In many ways, this way of thinking is even more dangerous than the bullets fired by the Taliban or the bombs used by them over the years to kill thousands of innocent people. We have become confused – almost dazed – living in a hallucinatory world and convincing ourselves that, like some kind of badly-written fantasy, almost every force is pitched against us and every event is orchestrated to malign our country and its people. The realm of rationality has slipped away.
Malala Yousufzai has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. If she wins it, she would, at age 16, become the youngest ever recipient of what is almost certainly the most prestigious award in the world. Even the fact that she is one of the frontrunners for the award is a huge honour.
The question we need to ask is: if Malala is named as the Nobel laureate for the year, will we shun her as we did our previous Nobel prize winner, Dr Abdus Salam Khan? Will we refuse to acknowledge her as we did Dr Salam? Why is it that we refuse to accept our heroes with magnanimity?
Clearly something has gone very wrong with our thinking processes. The Malala Yousufzai saga has simply highlighted this and shown just how much we need to do to stay in step with the rest of the world using logic rather than paranoia to guide us and determine how we act.
Email: kamilahyat@hotmail.com

http://e.thenews.com.pk/7-18-2013/page7.asp#;

Agree with her....... but she should must say something about drones... can't she see that how innocent peoples are becoming the victims of this so called ''war on terror''... there is not a single group of Taliban in country then how can we blamed all of them... how can so cold U.S.A forgot that he was the maker of Taliban in Benazir era..the westrens provided them aid and assistance & when they attain their benefits from them,then they named them TALIBAN THE TERRORISTS .... i'm not favouring what had taliban done b/c ''to kill a single human being is,as to kill the whole humanity'' ...

dear why u are expecting malala to rise her voice for drones, its not her business but the responsibility of our government to ask US about drones, Prime minister of Pakistan is accountable to eradicate such kind of threats to national security. she is a volunteer. being a child activist she has already done a lot to her country. these kind of senseless taunts doesn't suit a well behaved and mature Pakistani. one should be positive enough to get positive results, and in this chaotic we already lack the positive wave,there is a blame game in every walk of life. negative habits are becoming a part of our life, we feel satisfied in poking fingers at others rather than doing any constructive thing. there is already a dire need of positivity, harmony, optimism. i know i went astray from the topic but i felt it associated after reading a lot of "abuses" hurled at her for doing no bad to the country.

I second u Adnan Zia. You r right i n saying that Malala has already given a lot to this country. She really put her life in danger.
We just become emotional when it comes to drone attacks but what we actually to for those innocent people?? We have leaved them to terrorits. We do not actually go there under what circumstances these people are living. Here state has not any rit. They are killed in drones becaues they are living under the terrorits activites. There is not a check and balance. And why just victims of drone attacks why not the victims of terrorts attacks which happen day to day. Why not the hazara people???
We are the nation who rather than appreciating Malala point fingers to her. She has said what is right. We can not dictate her to say this and to not say this. Because we when could not give guaranty to her life then how can we expect that she behave according to our wishes.
It is really shamful that Malala did not get the due appreciation from her own country. International community is far better than us. We did not value of own muslim sis but they do.....!!


Two things which i have observed in this article (i now there are many but want to highlight the shoking ones) are reallly sad.
One is the reaction of our govt.(PML-N) did not felicitate Malala. This shows the mentality of majority of our population. We should not forget that these PML-N is won the majority of seats means our most of people think like this. They dnt approve malala as a hereon, the one who presented postive image the image of courage and determination. The CM of the most developed province reaction itself is condemnable. Being from the largest province he should have shown the maturity. He showed what he stands for. It really lead to the conclusion that punjab govt. not with the malala but with those who tried to kill malala. Really very shocking. CM by saying this wanted to win the heart of masses but he losed his value in eyes of peace loving people like us. In eyes of malala.
Second thing in this article about our president. Now matter what majority say but in my eyes he is worth to respect. He did what he could do in his capacity. Hats off to him. No just he but all his family rejoiced with the happines. And only because of this love Malala chose to wear the shwel of Benazir Bhutto.
PPP and ANP should be appreciated that they are always with the peace loving and are against the terrorist. At least these two parties have clear stance against when it comes to terrorism.

Imran Khan does not waste a single minute when it comes to condemning drone attacks but was silent on this biggest day.

This all shows much more about the mentality of our politicians who have unfortunatly support of masses.

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For me it is enough that I am different from others.

Our nation has become a mob of perturbed and confused people who can't even distinguish b/w the things which bestow them with pride and things which bog u into humiliation . Our collective bearing can be well judged from social media where everybody thinks it a holy deed to abuse and become venomous to.our pride, Malala .

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Emulating West, East is preparing its grave.

Two things which i have observed in this article ( there are many but want to highlight the shoking one) which want to share.
One is the reaction of our govt. Our PM behalf of govt. which is off course is of PML-N did not felicitate Malala. This shows the mentality of majority of our population. It shows that majority of people think like that. They dnt approve malala as a hereon, the Malala who presented postive image-the image of courage and determination.
And the reaction of CM of the most developed province itself is condemnable. Being from the largest province he should have shown the maturity. He showed what he stands for. It really lead to the conclusion that punjab govt. is not with the malala but with those who tried to kill malala. Really very shocking. CM by saying this wanted to win the heart of masses but he losed his value in eyes of peace loving people like us. And In eyes of malala.
Second thing in this article is about our president Asif Ali Zaradi. No matter what majority say but in my eyes he is worth to respect. He did what he could do in his capacity. Hats off to him. Not just he but all his family rejoiced with the happines. And only because of this love Malala chose to wear the shwel of Benazir Bhutto.
PPP and ANP should be appreciated that they are always with the peace loving and are against the terrorist. At least these two parties have clear stance against when it comes to terrorism.

Imran Khan does not waste a single minute when it comes to condemning drone attacks but was silent on this biggest day. Govt of KPK of PTI should appreciate malala because she belongs from this province from Pakhtoon family..!!

This all shows much more about the mentality of our politicians who have unfortunatly support of masses.

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For me it is enough that I am different from others.

literally i am happy with malala's act. she is a pakistani plus a muslim so how come she adress gracefully to a parliment on her birthday who is totally opposite to her country as well as religion?
she is not the only child victimised by taliban... and what about the rest of childs specially the infants who been killed by drone at every beat? she is not enough mature to be a part of world cover. she is been developing in the hands of our enemies. did any one noticed that who has prepared her speech? whats the point of taking the names of juses, nelson etc when she already took the name of MUHAMMAD S.A.W. being muslims we believe that the universe is made for him so whats the point of comparission? n last not the least why did president zardari sent her to US for recovery, though she was not that raptured to be recover in pakistan.
my point pakistan should start dilogues with taliban in order to exit this cold war. many points taliban are not fake. they are true to their points.

Sometimes i think that how people are still believing in that whole drama of Malala Yousafzai . Plus, why still UN is raising the issue of Malala and giving her this much fame. One tjjng more that Malala represents UN and if it is not her responsibility to raise voice aboit drone attacks then whose responsibility it is ? .

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''Sufficient for us is Allah , and He is the best Disposer of affairs" Al-Quran

Allah knows better about the reality of malala, but we should think over the fact, that why western nations and UN are strongly supporting a Pakistani and a Muslim girl despite their enmity towards us. Even if we admit that malala has done a commendable job but at the same time we should not forget the sacrifices of our armed forces, thousands of armed personnel ( from the rank of soldier to brig ) have been martyred in this "war on terror" and there are a number of stories of valor and courage of soldiers and civilians. Principal of Islamia college is in taliban's custody for the last two years.why these stories has not been highlighted that much ?

Malala had an excellent opportunity to speak for the victims of drone, it was her duty because she got the platform for it.

why we are wrong in thinking this all as topi drama, they saw and gave so called protection to victim Mlala.
what about thousands of children died in Kashmir and Phalistine?
what about Burma incident?

Why UN didnt celebrate Arfa Karim day who was more talented to this girl?

Why UN dont raise voice for Afia sidique?

they only highlighted the issue in which they can show that Pakistani women is supressed, undignifed, bound, uneducated etc. want to depict a sarrow story of Pakistani women.
but why they are depicting this image?

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attitude makes the difference!