CNN.com
In rebuke to Taliban, Pakistan college named for Malala - CNN.com
By Saima Mohsin , for CNN
October 26, 2012 -- Updated 0520 GMT (1320 HKT)
CNN.com
Pakistani school girls pray for the early recovery of child activist Malala
Yousafzai.
Swat, Pakistan (CNN) -- In a message of defiance to the Taliban, authorities in
Swat have decided to rename a government college after Malala Yousafzai, the
15-year-old girl who was shot in the head after demanding education for girls.
The college offers high school and undergraduate education for 2,000 girls and
young women.
The female students here were reluctant to appear on camera -- afraid they,
too, may be targeted. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the October 9
shooting, which left Malala wounded.
The students told CNN they were also afraid to attend the school, but were
doing so anyway -- inspired by Malala and their right to seek an education.
Malala and her parents reunite in UK
Suspect identified in Malala attack
Suspect identified in Malala's shooting
Malala's story
"I myself think that education is important because women have no right in this
society so, due to education, they can get their right in this Pakhtun society
especially," said Gulalai, an 18-year-old undergraduate student studying
statistics and economics.
"I think she's a very brave girl," said Mehreen, 17, who is studying chemistry,
botany and zoology. "She sacrificed her life for us, for education, that girls
should take education for their bright future. For women it's very important in
this society."
They are attending the Swat Valley's first degree college to be named after a
woman.
"We always want to send a message across the world, that here we want to
develop the female gender and we also want females to come forward in society,"
said Kamran Rehman Khan, a local government official.
Asked if he was trying to send a message to the Taliban, too, he said, "Yes for
sure ... We just want to tell them we will not be deterred by their actions."
The young women here are studying subjects as varied as English literature and
economics to botany and zoology. They talk of becoming psychologists, lawyers,
doctors and scientists.
"When you educate a girl, you educate the whole family, the whole race," said
Talat Qamar, the school's principal.
He vowed to continue offering girls and women an education, though he said he
needs help. "I think that we should be more secure," he said. "I have asked the
local government officers and the local police chief to provide me with more
security."
Such determination and resistance were also visible among residents on the
streets of Swat -- men and women who said they too will fight for females'
right to education.
"Getting an education is like bringing in the light, being uneducated is
complete darkness, you're like a blind man," said one.
"I have four daughters," said another. "And yes, they all study."
Yet another resident summed it up this way: "Both girls and boys need to be
educated; without an education, girls and boys are nothing."
Yousafzai, who is undergoing treatment in a British hospital, was reunited
Thursday with her parents. Malala has been thinking about school even while she
lies in her hospital bed, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik told
reporters after meeting with her family.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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