Hero Essay by Husnaa

“There are some people. Who want to stop educating girls, through guns.”

- Ziauddin Yousufzai 

Swat Valley, Pakistan 

October, 2012 

The time was afternoon, after school. A bus of schoolgirls traveled down the road. A masked gunman stepped onto the bus. They asked for her. All of the passengers stared at the girl. The soldiers fired their guns. She fell to the floor. And the blood poured.

The girl was 15 year old Malala Yousufzai. At the age of 11, she gave a voice to her dreams. She wrote a diary using an undercover name for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) about young girls’ lives in Pakistan under a certain rule.  She wanted to become a doctor and knew that for this dream to come true she must first have another dream come true. In writing her diary she became a symbol of defiance. Malala now is widely known, but gained recognition for speaking out for girl’s rights to education and equal rights for women and men. So on January 15, 2009 when these people OUTLAWED girls going to school, she was devastated. Malala proceeded to study at home, and eventually took the risk and went back to school. These people are her enemy. These people, who are on a mission to destroy her and her strength, are afraid of a little girl’s voice. They even say that they do this in the name of religion. These people are the Taliban.

Taliban – An extremist non-governmental group who believe in the demolishment of female-empowerment. They state their claim in the name of religion. In the name of Islam. And because of this, as well as Al Qaeda, people turn to Muslims and point their finger. YET Islam opposes this, and encourages all people (including women and girls) to seek for knowledge. Islam states all people are created equally; male or female, black or white, Muslim-or non-Muslim, Arab or non-Arab.

After the attack and attempted murder, a Taliban spokesperson (Ehsanullah Ehsan) confirmed that Malala had been the target. He called her fight obscene. He called her a “western-minded” girl, where as she only used common sense.

Even though these people were trying to control Malala’s life, as well as those of all of her people, she stands strong. She speaks-out, and states her problem. Malala is my definition of a hero. All heroes might not be as out-going as she, but in my head they all have a mission and love of their cause in their hearts. Superheros don’t need capes. They need brains.

Malala has been nominated for numerous awards, and has holidays named after her, a university, and the like. Malala has opened the WORLD’S eyes to those without a voice. Those who were shut in. Those who were hurt. Those who were denied a choice. And now with open eyes …we are faced with the truth. The truth that Malala demonstrated is that each person is responsible to contribute to making the world a better place. Her actions force us to stop and think. Can I actually do something?? Can I actually make a change in the world??

Malala refused to be a silenced dove – she refused to be afraid. Or maybe she was scared but she did not allow her fear to stop her. Her fearlessness has inspired my gratitude – I committed to working harder in school and have learned to appreciate the freedom I have to pursue my education in the manner that I choose.  In the near future, I will be presenting a proposal to my Girl Scout Troop for several ideas that will help us to support schoolchildren around the world in continuing their education in difficult situations.

“Shukriya*, Malala.”

* Thank you, in the Urdu language