There is a Ted talk I suggest you watch before reading this book, by Ziauddin Yousafzai, Malala's father who inspired her and stood by her when she spoke for all women who have faced injustice.
Malala who was born in the swat valley of Pakistan advocated for equal rights for women especially in education. Malala went to the school owned by her father and loved to study since she was a kid. She was ten when Taliban took her valley in control. In a year they started killing political activists and then preaching that by Islamic rules, women's responsibilities are inside the house and they should not come out of the house.
Ziauddin receives a blackmail from Taliban that year that his school should be closed as it is 'western and infidel' but he refuses to give in. Malala continues to go to school inspite of the serious threats and speaks for women's education in local newspapers and becomes hugely popular from the BBC interview. This leads to Taliban shooting Malala in her head when she was 15 in her school bus. The whole world grieves this incident and prays for her recovery. She is flown to Birmingham (her family currently lives there in exile) where she receives treatment and after several operations she heals from her injuries.
Malala receives the Nobel price for peace in 2014, becoming the youngest-ever Nobel Laureate when she was 16.
A conversation between her parents after Malala was shot and on the verge of dying:
Ziauddin: Should I be blamed for what happened to Malala?
Toor Pekai: Don't blame yourself, you stood for the right cause.You put your life at stake for the cause of truth, for the cause of peace and for the cause of education.Your daughter is inspired by you. You both were on the right path and God will protect her!
I'm truly inspired by Malala and her father for their fight against the most inhuman terrorists in a very unsafe country. These are normal people standing against corrupted politics, religion rules that deny freedom and vicious men with guns. This book is a must-read for all girls around the world.
Imagine what if you started thinking about all the things you took for granted in life and how much more you should appreciate the things you have in your life. I start to realize the responsibilities I have towards my society for giving me the freedom to enjoy equal rights as men in education, job prospects and at home!
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