Malala Yousufzai’s recent book ‘I am Malala’ will be banned completely due to its ‘controversial’ contents in all private schools across the country, Pakistan Today has learnt.
The decision was announced by All Pakistan Private Schools Federation President Mirza Kashif on Wednesday who said children were idealising Malala and reading her book will leave them in a ‘confused’ state of mind.
“Our academics have thoroughly studied her (Malala’s) book and have concluded that reading that book will only confuse our children. Malala’s defence of Salmaan Rushdie in the name of freedom of expression, not writing Peace Be Upon Him after the name of prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and criticising the Quranic injunctions about the status of women in testifying as witnesses are only a few things which will challenge the ideological foundations of our next generation,” Kashif said while talking to Pakistan Today.
Interestingly, the private schools owners have taken the decision on their own while the government has nothing to do with the decision.
“It (the book) is not part of the curriculum and hence the government has nothing to do with our decision. The federation has taken the decision on its own in order to save children from getting confused,” Kashif added.
Further explaining the ban, he said, it would not be allowed to keep the book in any school library or use for co-curricular activities - essay writing or debating competitions.
“We can see from her writing that she has not authored the book herself. Even if she has, it creates a lot of doubt amongst our kids regarding religion which we, being Muslims, can never allow,” he added.
So Malala stands up for education in her country, takes a bullet to the face from the Taliban for her troubles, and this is how Pakistani educators respond?
I guess this is what's to be expected when religion takes precedence over education.
Religion is only part of it.
ReplyDeleteI read quite a lot about Iran, Afghanistan, and by extension Pakistan since it hosts refugee camps. There are many examples of bright girls jerked out of school very early and forced to marry older cousins so the family resources will stay within the family. It’s tribal and deeply ingrained.
Most of the men AND women support this. They resent educators putting beautiful dreams into the heads of the girls. Holland, for example, is dangled like a glittering jewel by aid workers, but it’s unattainable. It’s frustrating and deeply depressing for those girls.
I admire Malala, and I hope she has a long and prosperous life. She’s chipping away at the mountain. But the mountain is big.
Save them from getting shot in the head, more like.
ReplyDeleteA Rap Song About Girls And Money That Your Daughter Should See
ReplyDeleteEnsuring girls around the world get to go to school doesn't just take money — it also requires the universal belief that women deserve equal access to education. Malala Yousafzai almost lost her life working to give a voice to girls who were banned by the Taliban from being educated in her home country of Pakistan. She was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, and she has inspired countless people worldwide to stand up for what they deserve.
The refrain of this song features young girls singing "I am Malala," which I love because it reminds me of the great Martin Luther King Jr. quote: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
http://www.upworthy.com/a-rap-song-about-girls-and-money-that-your-daughter-should-see-aa3-8b?c=ufb1
"presidency"...?.....tsk tsk
ReplyDeleteA sad commentary on the lunacy of religion when it controls every facet of someone's life, never mind the policy and law of a state or nation
ReplyDeleteOne small typo Gryphen, you wrote "when religion takes presidency of education"
Did you mean to say "when religion takes precedence over education"
Yes I did, and now it does.
DeleteShe damned well better not go home again. If she does, some bunch of assholes will charge her with blasphemy - and the STATE will execute her!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that wonderful? She survives a murder attempt only to be murdered - excuse me, executed - because she spoke out in a way that upsets some people? Wonderful.
(That's a snark for those of you incapable recognizing it.)
Where is some adult out there with Malala, letting Malala know that she doesn't have to fight this alone. Letting her know that she can have a life beyond being spokesgirl for the world for the education of girls. Giving her protection from the adulation that is coming her way.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a problem with Malala's message. I don't have a problem with Malala - a remarkable young lady. I have a problem with the adults encouraging her to be spokesperson to the world, and putting her on a pedestal from which she will undoubtedly fall from eventually (not because she's not remarkable, but because that is the nature of being put on a pedestal) when she's way to young to understand the burdens of being a world spokesperson.
I wish Malala well. I wish some adults would at least join her in being outspoken for girls' education. And not just support her from behind the scenes.
Somehow I get the impression she doesn't NEED someone else speaking out with her - unless it is more girls. I get the impression that this young lady is far older than her 16 years and always has been.
DeleteShe is backed by a loving family, which, at this point, seems to be more than sufficient.
Unfortunately, I don't see Malala succeeding. At least, not for a very long time - like after MILLIONS of girls stand with her.
Will it ever happen? I think not. At least, not as long as organized religion exists. And that includes ANY religion that suppresses women.
Of course she does help. She's still young. She's a remarkable youhg lady, but she's still young. She has seen more of life than I have, probably most of you, but she's still young. She has absolutely no sense of what it's like to be the focus of international attention, adulation, and a lot of other things. She obviously doesn't need any help with being articulate and forceful. What I worry she needs help with is handling the adulation, the anger, and the ability to change without the world being disappointed in her.
Delete11:36? Where better to get that help with the adulation and things you mentioned than a good stable family and parents who love her and respect her?
DeleteThere is a core there that is apparently stronger than most western families supply today.
And there ARE people who are far more advanced than their years normally allow. She is one of them. It may have been forced on her at gunpoint - literally - but it is still there.
She is remarkable. How do you know her apparent maturity will last another 5-10 years? how do you know her loving parents that don't even appear with her have nothing but her best interests in mind? Maybe it's all true. I just wnat to know how you know.
DeleteI don't know of any childrne, who seem far advanced for their years, that didn't also go through most of the stages of adolescence and young adulthood. She's acting like someone over-30, maybe over-40. I hope it lasts. I hope she is happy and does all the wonderful things people are hoping she does. I just don't know how you know.
Nothing gets more books to their target audience than the Government or those in Authority to ban it. Malala demonstrates the power of one voice. It may not change things in her beloved Pakistan, but a whole generation of young girls in Pakistan and the world now know the power of education equality because of this one brave child.
ReplyDeleteI think this won't slow her down, it'll move her to do greater things.