I remember that there was a boy in our school who was asked by a journalist, "Why are the Taliban against education?” He answered very simply. Because they were and they are afraid of change, afraid of the equality that we will bring into our society. That is why they are blasting schools every day. And that is why they killed many female teachers and polio workers in Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa and FATA. ![]() And that is why they killed 14 innocent medical students in the recent attack in Quetta. ![]() The power of the voice of women frightens them. The extremists are afraid of books and pens. The wise saying, "The pen is mightier than sword” was true. In the same way, when we were in Swat, the north of Pakistan, we realised the importance of pens and books when we saw the guns. We realise the importance of our voice when we are silenced. This is what my soul is telling me, be peaceful and love everyone.ĭear sisters and brothers, we realise the importance of light when we see darkness. And this is the forgiveness that I have learnt from my mother and father. This is the philosophy of non-violence that I have learnt from Gandhi Jee, Bacha Khan and Mother Teresa. This is the legacy of change that I have inherited from Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. This is the compassion that I have learnt from Muhammad - the prophet of mercy, Jesus Christ and Lord Buddha. Even if there is a gun in my hand and he stands in front of me. I do not even hate the Talib who shot me. I want education for the sons and the daughters of all the extremists especially the Taliban. I am here to speak up for the right of education of every child. Neither am I here to speak in terms of personal revenge against the Taliban or any other terrorists group. My dreams are the same.ĭear sisters and brothers, I am not against anyone. The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and stop our ambitions but nothing changed in my life except this: Weakness, fear and hopelessness died. And then, out of that silence came, thousands of voices. They thought that the bullets would silence us. Their right to be educated.ĭear Friends, on the 9th of October 2012, the Taliban shot me on the left side of my forehead. I raise up my voice - not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. I speak not for myself, but for all girls and boys. Thousands of people have been killed by the terrorists and millions have been injured. There are hundreds of human rights activists and social workers who are not only speaking for human rights, but who are struggling to achieve their goals of education, peace and equality. They continue to inspire all of us to action. And I thank them both for the leadership they continue to give. I fully support Mr Ban Ki-moon the Secretary-General in his Global Education First Initiative and the work of the UN Special Envoy Mr Gordon Brown. I would like to thank my nurses, doctors and all of the staff of the hospitals in Pakistan and the UK and the UAE government who have helped me get better and recover my strength. Thank you to my elders whose prayers strengthened me. Thank you to the children whose innocent words encouraged me. I have received thousands of good wish cards and gifts from all over the world. I cannot believe how much love people have shown me. But first of all, thank you to God for whom we all are equal and thank you to every person who has prayed for my fast recovery and a new life. I don't know what people would be expecting me to say. Being here with such honourable people is a great moment in my life. Honourable UN Secretary General Mr Ban Ki-moon, Respected President General Assembly Vuk Jeremic Honourable UN envoy for Global education Mr Gordon Brown, Respected elders and my dear brothers and sisters Today, it is an honour for me to be speaking again after a long time. In the name of God, the most merciful, the most beneficent.
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