Ten days ago, Malala Yousafzai, a 14-year-old Pakistani girl who has very vocally and publicly fought for the right of girls in her country to receive an education, was sitting in a school van when Taliban gunmen climbed on board and shot her in the head. Two of her classmates were also wounded.
Malala has since been airlifted to Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham, England, where she remains in critical care.
Malala is from the Swat Valley region of Pakistan, an area that was invaded in 2007 by the Taliban in Pakistan, who are, by the way, different from the “Taliban” in Afghanistan. For a decent breakdown of who exactly the “Taliban” are and how they came about and what they are trying to do, you can start here and here.
When the Taliban took over the Swat Valley, they issued edicts that forbade women from going to the marketplace and that demanded the closure of all private schools for girls, including the one Malala was attending.
When she was 11, Malala wrote about what it was like living under Taliban rule for the BBC Urdu under a pseudonym. You can read her diary entries here. Her diary straddles the ordinary with the extraordinary—anecdotes about shopping for jewelry are juxtaposed with accounts of waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of artillery fire.
In the two years that followed, Pakistani military forces were able to drive most of the Taliban out of the Swat Valley region, but not without casualties—schools were torched, families were displaced, and many, many more girls and women, who have not been given the same media attention as Malala, have risked their lives to organize and fight for their basic human rights to an education, to dignity, to live without intimidation or threat of violence.
In an interview with the Daily Beast, the 21-year-old activist Noorjahan Akbar said, “Malala’s case was more horrifying because she was so young and because nobody would look at her as a threat, as a 14-year-old girl promoting education. [When someone older is attacked], people don’t think of it as news—nobody heard when Hanifa Safi was killed this summer. Everyone’s talking about Malala, which is good because it happens all the time. Afghanistan created a program to pray for her in schools. Fifteen girls had acid thrown on their face a couple of years ago… [Hundred of girls have been] poisoned in Afghan schools… because they want an education… Malala’s case has created such a buzz, and it deserves it, but so many of these cases go completely ignored.”
But now, people are talking about Malala, and we need to keep talking.
In an interview with CNN last year, Malala spoke with the resolve, confidence, and supreme calm of a social-justice activist with years of experience, whose bravery could move mountains. But at the same time, watching her in this video, I couldn’t help noticing that she also spoke with the idealism and sweet hopefulness of a young girl who was just beginning to forge her place in the world. At one point, she tells the interviewer that she would like to speak to the Taliban. When the interviewer asks her if she’s scared of them, she says, “I will show them Koran—what the Koran says. Koran didn’t say that girls are not allowed to go to school.” But she did not get a chance to speak to the Taliban. She didn’t get a chance to show them what the Koran said. She was shot in the head.
Why did the Taliban target Malala Yousafzai? In their words: “We targeted her because she would speak against the Taliban while sitting with shameless strangers and idealized the biggest enemy of Islam, Barack Obama.”
And so now the world is looking at Pakistan. Now the world is condemning the Taliban. People are outraged. People are grieving. Madonna fake-tattooed Malala’s name on her back and flashed the audience during a concert, because apparently, that’s supposed to be some kind of gesture of solidarity? Angelina Jolie is talking about how “We are all Malala.”
But are we? Do we, as first-world feminists, understand what it means to be Malala? Do we know what we mean when we say we want justice for Malala? Do we know what has been happening in the Middle East? Do we understand the conditions that led to the rise of Islamic extremism? Do we feel the same outrage and grief for Pakistani girls who have been killed or orphaned by drone attacks ordered by the United States government? Don’t we owe it to Malala, who fought for her right to an education, to educate ourselves about what is happening in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq?
What happened to Malala is a travesty. Her story should inspire us to demand more humanity, not less. Her story should inspire us to seek justice, to ask questions, to not be satisfied with the stories that we have been told.
Malala is undergoing surgery in Birmingham right now. She may face serious and permanent neurological and physical impairment that will affect her for the rest of her life. She and her family continue to be at risk—the Taliban have stated that if she survives, they will go after her again. They have vowed to go after her father, who is a poet and an education activist.
We, the Rookie community of staffers and readers and friends, made these get-well cards for Malala because we stand behind her. We want to tell Malala: We are rooting for you. We are scared for you. We are going to be brave for you and strong for you, and we are all fighting for the vision you so courageously proposed—one where all people have access to education, freedom, and dignity. One where all people can speak out without fear of being targeted or attacked.
We acknowledge that terror comes in many forms, and we are committed to fighting for a world without terror. You’ve inspired us, and you’ve reminded us that no one’s life deserves to be cut short because of where they were born and what they believe. You make us want to value and cherish the education that was denied to you. You make us demand our right to live in a humane world, and you remind us that there’s a long way to go.
Please get well soon, Malala. We need you. We love you. ♦
79 Comments
Hey Ana in Cambridge, I’m in Cambridge too :) Aren’t we having some crappy weather??
Yes i know!! not really unusual though haha ;)
Mine is #181! YAYYY!
Everyone did such a wonderful and beautiful job <3
Get well soon, Malala. You are such an inspiration to us all.
It bums me out a ton that mine didn’t get on here, but these are really nice!
we love you.
we will fight and we will never back down.
I love this.
so much love <3 Get well soon Malala
mine is #175 <3 yay this is amazing!
I’m so moved by this. It’s truly beautiful!
Get well, Malala. Whole-hearted love and support from Vancouver, Canada and all of womanity. I’m rooting for you. :)
If everyone was as strong and kind as Malala, I wonder what new heights humanity would be reaching…. <3
Also, yay for Rookies from Edmonton, Alberta!
If you do live in Edmonton, Alberta please contact me through my blog. I have yet to find a fellow Rookie here!!!
purplesoleil.tumblr.com
This is beautiful.
Oooh…mine’s number 77! But anyways, guys, I love the cards that everyone made for Malala. And I think our good vibes will help her heal!
Oh my goodness how fantastic. I feel so honoured to be part of something so beautiful! Great work everyone <3 <3
(p.s It's so cool to know there are other AusRookies out there!)
Tell me about it! Every time an Australian note came up, I’d smile a little :) AusRookies unite! <3
Wait, so, how are we getting all these to Malala?
Great job, everyone!
I wish I could have sent one in. Malala, I hope you see this and that you know that so many people are supporting you. Much, much love from the world.
mine is 22!! so amazing to see our community come together to recognize such an important issue. get better, malala. we are all praying for your quick recovery.
Get well, Malala! Your courage is inspiring.
Rookie, thank you for doing this!!
Malala’s story really moved me, seeing her, such a brave girl, she is the hope of a generation. She is such a strong person and her desire to get an education is very touching. This situation is awful and I can’t believe they could hurt a little girl. Those horrible men are scared of her, because she’s strong and they are cowards. Malala, I wish you could read this, I’m a 21 year old girl from Argentina and you truly inspired me! Don’t give up, we need you in the world.
This is so wonderful.
what a strong, inspiring, amazing girl. she can walk and talk now, right?!
PS anyone who is interested in this should watch the New York Times documentary made about the Swat Valley (it’s called Class Dismissed, and you can watch it here )
PPS if you watch it be prepared for a deluge of tears
This is really amazing, good job to the whole Rookie community :))
xx
#179
So much bravery and strength, and such an inspiration for everyone. Best of wishes to Malala- more love from Edmonton, Alberta!
my name is della not delia :( #136. but its ok, this is so inspiring, <3 rookie. thank you for doing this rookie. :) xx
Fixing it now! So sorry about that and thanks for sending it in!
We fixed! Sorry about that, Della.
thank you for fixing it. it’s ok :) xx
This is beautiful, thanks Anaheed & Jenny. I really hope she sees this support.
Mine is #113!
Malala, we are all praying for you!
Mine is 10, and my best friend sent 33. :)
Clara from Bochum, I too am from Germany! Let’s meet!
Malala, stay strong. You are such a hero.
I really hope Malala gets better, because then nothing will bring her down <3 She's a hero for all girls around the world
(mine's #46 !!)
64. I am so proud of you, Malala!!! You are doing a wonderful progress.
You are my hero <3
This is so amazing. Everyone did such awesome pictures. I am so bummed I summited mine late!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful work Rookie community!
(#131 mine!)
And thanks Rookie for doing this!
Malala is such an inspiration and strong girl.
This is so beautiful, I’m still in shock that grown men would shoot a girl just because she has an education. Get Well Soon Malala.
This is so wonderful and inspiring. Malala is such a hero, we need her in the world. And it’s great to see so many Rookies worldwide contributing. My one is #28. x
This is amazing! Malala is amazing!! I have so much respect for girls like her, they are so brave. I don’t think I would have the courage that they have if I were in their situation.
Too bad I saw the announcement for this too late, so I couldn’t send anything in, but I hope that she’ll get better and that she’ll still have some of her courage left to fight for her rights.
#101 is mine :) amazing job everyone!
These are all so beautiful. I was tearing up throughout. I especially liked the collages.
:) mine’s the very last, with the leaves.
These are amazing, I am so glad to have participated!
This is beautiful, I had no idea how many people around the world read rookie. It’s amazing to see so many people praying for Malala. *mines number 161 – im so excited*
Mine is 5 – wish I’d had time to create something better, but lack of time left me resorting to MS paint. But I think Malala is really inspirational, a true feminist and I hope she pulls through and continues showing people like the taliban that they can’t stop us as women, or as people.
#141 is mine! I’m so glad Malala is doing well! I wish she could see this!
Oh and hi Anna from Winnipeg!
I don’t even know what to say. These were so beautiful, and it still amazes me that so many people are SO supportive. I actually started to cry when I reached the note that said something like, “I was sitting in class thinking that all these seats are waiting for the women who will be here.”
This is so beautiful. I feel happy, sad, scared, proud and hopeful, but most of all, I feel inspired. Thank you, Malala, for being so strong and brave and for inspiring people to change thing for the best. We love you. Get well soon <3
Damn! number 50s mine but the urdu’s all messed up :(
Mine is number 66! Get well soon Malala!
everyone’s contributions are so beautiful and powerful and i want to shout out jenny specifically–the accompanying text ties their (our!) individual strengths together in a way that got my face all rainy.
Emine from Istanbul, I was not looking at the places but when I saw your face I feel so close to you, then I saw your place. Places are not that important to feel close to somebody but it was really weird that I can feel you are from Istanbul from just looking at your face. I dunno it’s because maybe we saw each other in somewhere?
And Malala, you are giving inspiration to all creatures on Earth and all of the universe. Just get better soon, please, and do not give up on being yourself like you did before.
Oh, and I’m Işıl from Istanbul.
This just made me so happy! I definitely understand what you mean. We should organize a Rookie Istanbul meetup!
YES! I got so jealous when I see Rookie meetups in here. We should do it, too. But I’ve never seen anybody from Istanbul here before.
Beautiful. thank you rookie for the creative outlet and best wishes Malala
Aaron #177
I loved all the cards!! Mine is 107. I’m so happy to be on Rookie!! <33
I’m so excited to see that my card is the thumbnail :)! thanks Rookie!
I was also so excited when I saw that Rookie was sending get well cards to Malala, I read her story and I watched documentaries that featured her and her family and she has inspired me so much.
You see that sort of wisdom and bravery demonstrated by this 14 girl, and you can’t help but force yourself to have the same courage in your own life.
KEEP FIGHTING MALALA ♥
YOU ARE REALLY TALENTED OMG. <3
oh thank you :)
also: all these cards are amazing!!!
Ohno i was too late with sending it! I wanted to make one with a friend….anyway, maybe a little bit late; Get well malala!
And i loveee all the cards ohmy!
#68 :)
I think this is probably the most beautiful thing that Rookie has ever done. I literally had tears in my eyes by the 50th card. I feel so lucky to have been a part of this and hope that her immense struggle will never be forgotten. Love you Malala <3
This is just amazing how everybody has come together to support Malala, it’s beautiful :)
So pleased my card got to be part of this astounding show of care and consideration :)
Taylor x
This is really special. Get well Malala!
PS I was so happy to see mine up (106)!
mine is #20 :) this means so much to me that I could share my support to malala publicly. :)
P.S. Chicago Rookies, we should meet up!
KEEP FIGHTING, MALALA!!!!
everyone’s cards are lovely! all of this is wonderful! ♡♡♡♡
Update: ten days after being shot in the head, Malala was standing with help from nurses and writing. Like seriously, she is such an inspiration!
12 is my favorite
adfgjsdadfsd awwwwww chucks!!! x
luvd everyone’s, malala is such an example for all of us! she’s so brave, i admire her soo much! this a beautiful tribute to her! Hope she gets better.
mine is 170 and i just realised that i missed one ‘a’ in malala’s name lol but it now sounds like a loving nickname (at least!)
#89!:)
Wow some of these are beautiful – I love the collages and the paintings & hope Malala gets to see these!
Get well, Malala! I am so inspired by you!
This made me so happy. There is nothing I want more than for Malala to see this.
Also, Cathrin from Newcastle?! Hey, I’m Olivia, also from Newcastle. Ahaha, this feels so weird.
This made me cry..
This is beautiful. I was moved to tears.
As much as I love most of these cards, with some, I wonder if we’re pressuring her too much by asking her to keep up her fight for education. She has a lot to worry about already, and I feel pushing her to keep going is unfair.
It’s really easy to sit back as residents of Western countries and say “Good job, keep fighting for your rights” because we don’t acutely feel the danger of that kind of activism.
But, she might not want to “keep it up” since she almost died for her cause.
If she does want to, that’s her decision. She’s a bad-ass regardless.