Press Release
Toronto, ON - The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada congratulates Malala Yousafzai on the auspicious occasion of becoming the youngest recipient of the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. On October 9th, 2012 Malala Yousafzai was shot by the Taliban while aboard a school bus in Swat, Pakistan. In 2009, at the tender age of 11 years, Malala started advocating for women’s education in Swat Valley, which was under threat by the Taliban. After her miraculously recovery, Malala began her international advocacy for peace, human rights and women’s education.
Malala Yousafzai has consistently attributed her advocacy for peace, universal human rights and women’s education to the true teaches of Islam. The National President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association Canada, Mrs Amtul Noor Daud stated “Malala’s efforts in standing up for the education of girls are commendable.” Mrs Daud went on to say “Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exalted the intellectual and spiritual status of women and said that seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim irrespective of gender.”
On October 22nd, 2014, Malala Yousafzai was scheduled to receive an Honorary Canadian Citizenship from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, when the nation’s capital came under attack leading to the tragic death of Corporal Nathan Cirillo. Malala’s Nobel Peace Prize is a stark reminder of the need of such exemplary leadership, coming at a time of deep concerns around radicalization in Canada. Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association actively hosts various leadership development and moral training events to engage Canadian women of all ethnic, religious and cultural background across Canada.
Malala Yousafzai is the second Nobel laureate from Pakistan, a country where political parties and extremist outfits portray Malala’s shooting as a Western conspiracy. Like Malala, Pakistan’s first Nobel laureate, Professor Dr Abdus Salam was also forced to leave Pakistan as a result of relentless persecution due to his Ahmadi faith. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community prays that may God continue to guide Malala Yousafzai on right path and may God bless all of her kind initiatives.