Book Review. "I am Malala" by Malala Yousafzai

I heard a lot about Malala in 2015 and now is the the right time for me to read her book, to reveal her story, a story that became a voice for millions of people all over the world. 

Firstly I would like to provide some pivotal facts about her to understand why her story is so important and can be a bold voice in each tiny part of the world. 

• She was born in Pakistan in July 1997, so in 2024 she is only 26 years old.

• She is a female education activist.

• She became a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2014 at the age of 17 and till now she is the youngest Nobel laureate. 

• 2013/2014/2015 according to TIMES she was one of the most influential people globally.

• She fought for the right to education for women in Pakistan even when it was ruled by the Taliban.

• She gave interviews and wrote articles for numerous media in Pakistan and all over the world, but her first famous articles were for BBC about living under the Taliban which made her the target for them to kill her and thus silence her. And one day they did it.

When I opened the book I did expect nothing. I was just reading a true story about a real person, a small girl from Pakistan who became famous because she stood up for education for girls, and peace in her country in that period when the Taliban invaded and suppressed all rights of the people. 

From this book, I understood again that wars and terrorism everywhere are the same. Everything that she wrote about bombs, sirens, missiles, etc. resembles me Kyiv, Ukraine the first week beginning from February 24, 2022, while I was there. The way of behavior, the unhuman rules, and the desire for the blood of innocent civil people are the same. And I wept, and I felt physical and psychological pain for Ukraine, Pakistan, Israel, and other countries that are under war or permanent wars. Her feelings about IDP, internally displaced persons, were almost the same I felt all this almost two years being a displaced person.

But what shocked me even more is that when you do not have education, or good education, or advanced education, title it as you wish, you become a target yourself, because it is easy to brainwash you and to install in your mind that information and beliefs that are important to someone else. A lot of people in Pakistan were very happy at first with the Taliban and thought that Fuzlullah, their leader, was a true devotee of Islam. They listened and even waited for his speeches on the radio and stood in complete silence and stillness while listening. But then "Big Messia" revealed his terroristic intentions. Women were not allowed to go to school. Women were not allowed to go to the market. Women were not allowed to show at least some part of their body. Men were not allowed to cut their hair, shave their beards, and wear non-muslim clothes. They forbade everything and were trying to transform Pakistan into something the same as Afghanistan. Then they began to kill openly and publicly those who did not listen and did not obey them.

In 2024 there is still total inequality, terrorism, and war. I do not believe that in Quaran (as I have not read it yet) is written to kill people if they are different as it is not written this fact in the Bible while the Holy Inquisition killed thousands of innocent people only because they were different and they did not obey to their bloody rules violated human rules and rights.

I was stunned by the fearlessness of Malala being a young child and her passion for education and becoming an education advocate. And of course one day she was shot by a Taliban directly in her head, and only because of God's magic she survived having numerous operations, and a long time to recovery. 

Here I would like to share some quotes from her book.

"It is a good thing to come in second. Because you learn that if you can win, you can lose. And you should learn to be a good loser, not just a good winner."

"I was lucky that I had parents who encouraged me despite the fear we all felt."

"You were the one who said if we believe in something greater than our lives, then our voices will only multiply, even if we are dead."

"They have already harmed me, leaving permanent scars. But out of the violence and tragedy came opportunity."

"The Taliban have shot me. But they can only shoot a body. They cannot shoot my dreams, they cannot kill my beliefs, and they can't stop my campaign to see every girl and every boy in school."

"Millions of people prayed for me, and God spared me. I am still here for a reason, and it is to use my life to help people."

Last but not least I would like to finish my review with Malala's speech to the United Nations in 2013, she was only 16 years old. 

"Dear brothers and sisters,

Do remember one thing. Malala Day is not my day. Today is the day of every woman, every boy, and every girl who has raised their voice for their rights. Thousands of people have been killed by terrorists, and millions have been injured. I am just one of them.

So here I stand... one girl among many.

I speak not for myself, but for all girls and boys.

I raise my voice not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.

Those who have fought for their rights:

Their right to live in peace.

Their right to be treated with dignity.

Their right to equality of opportunity.

Their right to be educated.

On the ninth of October 2012, the Taliban shot me on the left side of my forehead. They shot my friends, too. They thought that the bullets would silence us. And then, out of that silence came thousands of voices. The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and stop our ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except this: weakness, fear, and hopelessness died. Strength, power, and courage were born. I am the same Malala. My ambitions are the same. My hopes are the same. My dreams are the same.

One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world."

February 12, 2024.