I am Malala: Book review
Price: Rs. 399
Page count:320
Published:13 November 2014
Language: English
Author: Malala Yousafzai, Christina Lamb
The book depicts the story of a young Pakistani girl who courageously stands up against the Taliban in order to fight for the cause of girls’ education. She has been awarded 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for her work in this field. The book is a “must-read” for those interested in promoting the educational rights of women globally. Also, it is must-read for all the girls out there who take education for granted. Malala was a bright student. She was groomed by her father who provided her with an opportunity to study in an English-medium school. Her father himself ran the school against the decree of Taliban. When she was a 15 year old, she was shot at by the Taliban terrorists. That was for speaking up regarding women’s rights to education. Before she was shot at, she was unknown outside Pakistan but a well-known public figure in Pakistan, having done a radio interview series when she was a 13-year-old. Through her interviews, she spoke for girls’ education in Swat Valley of Pakistan which was controlled by Taliban. Her courage in championing girls’ education saw her win Noble Prize. Malala is a bright, articulate heroine whose story continues to inspire millions. Malala experienced a miraculous recovery from the cowardly attack on her. In the Swat valley to the north of Pakistan, from where Malala comes, girls’ were laid upon a number of restrictions by Taliban regime. They were supposed to wear burqa and stay inside their house. Her fight is all the more important since it was against the Taliban. Pakistan’s culture and history as well as Taliban’s culture and history is described in the book. The cultural clashes were quite common under Taliban which ruled the area between Pakistan and Afganistan. This book provides insight into what many intelligent, principled Muslim families in Pakistan want for their children and for their future – equality of opportunity and freedom. We salute Malala Yousafzai and her parents and family who have bravely stood by her. Indeed, this is a young woman who has exemplified what it means to transform a tragedy into triumph. Women activists worldwide should take it from her. In Malala’s many public appearances since the book’s publication, Malala reminds us that her story is also the story of the 16 million children across the world that still await access to an education.
Ravindra Zinjurke