US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle welcomed Pakistani schoolgirl activist Malala Yousafzai to the Oval Office on Friday.
Mr Obama met with Malala on the same day the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
The Pakistani teen had been considered a front-runner for the prize and was in Washington to speak at two events.
The teen said in a statement after the meeting that she was honored to meet with the president, who is a Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
"I thanked President Obama for the United States' work in supporting education in Pakistan and Afghanistan and for Syrian refugees. I also expressed my concerns that drone attacks are fueling terrorism. Innocent victims are killed in these acts, and they lead to resentment among the Pakistani people. If we refocus efforts on education it will make a big impact," she said.
So much wisdom in such a young person.
I think that her opportunities to win that prize are by no means behind her.
I see her as a great leader for her people in the years to come and have little doubt that she will remain a symbol for peace and the importance of education.
Don't discount the important, often dangerous, work done by the organization that did win.
ReplyDeleteShe will be a front-runner next year.
ReplyDeleteBarring unforeseen circumstances, I think she’ll get it someday. I hope she doesn’t return to Pakistan, which would be very dangerous for her.
ReplyDeleteBut if she left Pakistan, then the Taliban have won. It's easy for us to say she should stay (or leave) but ultimately, her presence is stronger than any drone program to dismantle the Taliban's policies.
DeleteSarah says Malala is a stupid kid that is missing a big chance to make a lot of money.
ReplyDeleteSarah said Malala should brand herself, get knocked up, do a few reality TV shows, go on DWTS, get fake engaged, do magazine photo spreads, do speaking gigs on abstinence after birthing a few kids, write a book and claim to hold a fake job.
Sarah said them dumb Muslim kids just don't know how to work hard.
Well said. And so darn true.
DeleteSarah doesn't know who Malala is.
DeleteBut if she is told who Malala is, her reaction would be exactly as you describe.
"I see her as a great leader for her people in the years to come and have little doubt that she will remain a symbol for peace and the importance of education."
ReplyDeleteIF she survives! The Taliban must see her as Enemy Number One. And they really don't care about the martyrdom question. They want her dead.
I can't see them having enough smarts to recognize that murdering her now would definitely make the people of Pakistan vehemently against them.
Yeah, but what is she doing for Abstinence and whatnot?
ReplyDeleteSadly, 'her people' are not seeing it that way:
ReplyDeleteMalala, The Pakistani Girl Who Survived A Gunshot From The Taliban, Is Resented In Her Hometown
For many of her compatriots, Malala Yousafzai is a stooge of the United States and a CIA agent, a symbol of the West's evils and a global conspiracy to bring down her native Pakistan.
She has won the European Union's prestigious human rights award and was one of the favorites to win the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, but in her native Swat valley, friends and neighbors reacted with a mixture of resentment, fear and jealousy.
"Malala is spoiling Pakistan's name around the world," said Mohammad Rizwan, a shop owner in her hometown of Mingora. "We didn't need Malala to come and tell us how important education is."
Around the corner from his shop is the quiet street where Malala, 16, was shot a year ago after trying to defy the Taliban with her outspoken views on women's right to education.
She survived after being airlifted to Britain for treatment and has since become a symbol of defiance against militants holed up in nearby tribal areas on the Afghan border.
But in this deeply conservative part of Pakistan, where women are expected to stay at home and keep their views to themselves, many people view Malala's campaign with suspicion.
In a nation thriving on conspiracy theories, some have even doubted the sincerity of her campaign, claiming it is part of her family's ploy to move to Britain or that she is just an attention seeker.
Social media sites are brimming with insulting messages. "We hate Malala Yousafzai, a CIA agent," says one Facebook page.
"Here, people have been unkind to her. They want to forget her. They think she is a drama queen. But what can you do?" said Ahmad Shah, a childhood friend of Malala's father who helped write her speech at the United Nations this year.
"Here in Swat, we have seen the hell that is Taliban rule. And yet, some people still say they would much rather side with the Taliban than Malala. Sometimes people never learn."
http://www.businessinsider.com/malala-yousafzai-is-resented-in-her-hometown-2013-10
They sound like our version of the Tea Party.
Delete""We didn't need Malala to come and tell us how important education is."
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Well, dumbass, apparently you did need exactly that, since your countryment tried to kill her for supporting the importance of education for females.
And yes, as Deb says, the Tealiban would have no problem with a totally theocratic form of government here in the US.
To answer your title question, perhaps one reason she didn't win the medal is because she publicly stated that she did not feel that she was deserving of such an honor, but that she hoped to one day become worthy.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it cool that Malia Obama was able to meet this fine young woman? Imagine how many young women like Malia will be inspired by Malala's serene wisdom and strength.
ReplyDeleteIt is clear that the Obamas are making sure that Sasha and Malia receive every educational benefit possible from their position as First Children. One can only imagine how much they will contribute to society as they grow to adulthood.
DeleteThat is one of the first things I got from the picture. The importance of having Malia meet Malala, aren't they about the same age?
DeleteDorothy's comment is spot on. Imagine growing up in the White House, having parents like the First Lady and the President, their Grandmother, Mrs. Robinson and getting to meet the best the world has to offer. Scientists, Authors, Humanitarians, world leaders etc. There's more to education than book smarts and grades. And both Sasha and Malia will probably comprehend the importance and appreciate these experiences.
DeleteDidn't she say, " I am too young to receive the Nobel Prize"?
ReplyDelete"A great leader for her people..." Yes, but even more so a great leader for the world...
ReplyDeleteFrom the interviews I've seen, she's not going to let this affect her cause. She was graceful and congratulated the winners for the good work they do, something that takes a great deal of maturity and confidence.
ReplyDeleteShe'll continue to fight for education for all boys and girls, everywhere. She didn't fight this hard to slink away, play the victim and quit.
She's already a winner just to be considered for the Nobel Prize at sixteen years of age.