Malala

Despite being the hottest contender for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, Malala Yousafzai didn’t win the prestigious award.

Malala was nominated for her efforts to campaign for girls’ education and was shot by the Taliban because of this last year.

This is the school that Malala used to go – the Khushal Public School in Mingora.

It's quiet today.

School staff and police are not letting anyone stand outside for security reasons.

Mehmood Ul Hassan is Malala’s cousin. He works as an administrator in the boy’s section of the school.

He has heard Malala did not get the Nobel.

“It is more than a Noble Peace Prize for us that Malala can talk, can see, can read and she is alive to continue her mission.”

He is not upset that Malala did not receive the Nobel peace prize.

“There are, of course, hardships, problems and issues to achieve the position which Malala has. Good people admire her efforts and mission while negative minded people blame and find negative points in her efforts. Everybody has the right to decide whatever they do and say. We can’t stop them.”

School director Amjad Ali is disappointed that Malala did not win the award.

“Malala has sacrificed more than others. She received many threats but she stood firm on her decision and mission to speak out for girls’ education. She was shot in head for her cause. So I was very much upset that Malala was not awarded the Nobel Prize. But as a teacher I can say that her mission and her courage are more than the prize.”

Malala gained international fame after writing about her experiences online under a pen name, Gul Makai.

She was shot last year by the Taliban for campaigning for girls’ education.

The Taliban have destroyed 400 out of 1,500 schools in the Valley –  most of them were girls’ schools.

Malala has won many national and international awards for her campaign but not all the girls in her old neighborhood are impressed.

Sapna Gul is in the 10th grade at a school not far from Malala’s school in Swat.

“I think that Malala has not done anything remarkable for female education.  I am from Swat and have not observed anything remarkable done by her. I know that she has written a diary and give interviews to the media and I appreciate that. But Nobel Peace Prize is a big award and I don’t think one can get the prize by writing a few pages or a few interviews.”

Malala now lives in the UK.

She recently launched her book “I Am Malala” – it tells about her struggle to campaign for girls’ education and how she survived after the Taliban attack on her.

The book is selling fast in many parts of the world... but here at home.

Sajjad Khan runs the biggest book shop in Mingora.

“The Taliban has warned that they will target shops that sell Malala’s book. Therefore I can’t sell the book. the Taliban are powerful. They do what they like so I can’t take risk. It is the only book which the Taliban has banned.”

This has not stopped Medical student Yassar Sharief from trying to find the book in shops across the valley.

“She has created a big name not only for Swat and for Pakistan also. She has become a icon for those who love education.”

Many people in Swat are still worried about talking openly about Malala and her efforts for education.

But college student Hassan Khan is open about his admiration.

“Malala has proved herself as a brave girl when she spoke out against the militants in the worst security situation. She deserved the prize but I am not disappointed that she didn’t get the Nobel peace prize. Winning Noble prize might end her struggle for female education in Pakistan. Now she should work hard not only for female education but also for our education too. I am sure she will get Noble peace prize in the future for her work.”