The father of Malala Yousafzai, the 15 year old girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban, has released a video thanking the public for their support
Ziauddin Yousafzai spoke from the London hospital where his daughter is being treated, thanking the “peace-loving well-wishers” who have supported his daughter since the assassination attempt in October this year.
“I’m awfully thankful to all peace-loving well-wishers of Malala Yousafzai who strongly condemn the assassination attempt on Malala, who pray for her health and who support the grand cause of Malala Yousafzai, that is peace, education, freedom of thought and freedom of expression,” her father said.
The schoolgirl has become a global symbol for a human rights campaign since writing a blog on BBC detailing the reality of life under Taliban rule in Pakistan. She has campaigned heavily and publicly for the rights of Pakistani girls to receive an education.
“Her voice is the voice of the people of Pakistan and all downtrodden and deprived children of the world. Malala and all other female human rights activists must be heard,” her father said.
“She wants me to tell everyone how grateful she is and is amazed that men, women and children from across the world are interested in her wellbeing,”
Since the attack, over 90,000 people have signed a petition calling for her to be awarded a Noble Peace Prize.
To coincide with ‘Malala Day’ on November 10 — a global ‘day of action’ in support of Malala and girls’ education — former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown delivered a petition containing more than one million signatures to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, urging him to make education a reality for all Pakistani children.
“Malala and her family believe that there are many many more courageous and brave girls and families in your country who want to stand up for the right of every child, in particular girls, to have the education that they deserve,” he said.