Daily Times

Two years back, when a young innocent Pakistani girl was shot at in Swat, it was hard to believe that this cowardly act by the shooters would do bigger damage to their extremist cause than it would to the feisty Pakthun girl. For a nation that loves conspiracy theories, half of the media went berserk proving how this is all part of the ‘grand game plan’ of the west. It was interesting to see many, especially respected men and women of the media, condemning the young woman for maligning the name of her country. Two years later, it is heartening to see the young woman surviving the deadly shooting and inspiring a worldwide campaign for girls’ education. For the brilliant Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize she just won is a catalyst in what will be her long journey in reforming the world through education.

For someone who has followed Malala’s story closely, it is interesting to see the same people who accused her of being a traitor vehemently congratulating her on her Nobel win. There might be inconsistency in their opinions but one cannot find a single inconsistent moment in Malala’s mission. Her message: education for all children, even the children of her enemies.

At an age when girls start discovering makeup and Mills and Boons novels, Malala discovered Gul Makai, who wrote about her love for education and hardships of her people for the pursuit of education. At an age when other girls worried about acne or hairstyles, Malala stood in front of world leaders at the UN to talk about her quest for education. While we discuss and over-analyse how women should break the glass ceiling and move up the leadership ladder, Malala has done it at a tender age overcoming all barriers and obstacles including physical suffering.

Unfortunately, in Pakistan, success and adulation comes at a price. The only other Nobel Prize winner of the country, Dr Abdus Salam, was persecuted both in life and death. While the world focused on his work as a physicist, his own countrymen focused on his religious ideology. Ditto for Malala. While the world will applaud her for her struggle, her work and her Nobel, many of her countrymen will deride her for being a western agent. We, unfortunately, lament not having enough heroes but treating with disdain the ones we have. The fact that she had to leave her country should be shameful enough. We could not and cannot protect her. She has moved where she is idolised and respected and has been put in a position where her message reaches a bigger audience. The fact that Canada offered her honorary citizenship and many other countries might follow suit shows how much they wish she was theirs rather than ours.

Rest assured she is doing no harm to Pakistan’s image. She is, in fact, badly damaging the extremist anti-Islam, anti-Pakistan hate campaign that destroyed schools and damaged the cause of education and progress. The total number of reported militant attacks on schools from 2009 to 2012 was at least 838 and could be as high as 919. The number may be higher owing to the difficulties faced by journalists and other observers working in conflict-hit areas. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) reported 505 schools damaged or destroyed in 2009 alone, when militancy was at its peak. It would be insane to call a person a western agent who talks about rebuilding these schools and providing education to children, especially girls.

Malala has dedicated her award to the people of Swat and Pakistan. She speaks of the love and connection to her roots that a few productive years in the west cannot take away. Yes, we will have reservations if she is used for a foreign agenda but, for the moment, is her win and the fact that she survived not enough for the symbolic message that it sends across? What possible damage can be done if the girls in our country get inspired to be educated? What if a few fathers with brilliant daughters like Malala get up and register them at school? Not all of these girls will be shot at, not all of them will have to find refuge in a foreign country. Most of them will grow up to be progressive, educated women working in and for Pakistan. That is what the Nobel for Malala should mean for us Pakistanis.

She is not just a symbol of the girl struggle. She is a symbol of Pakistan’s, especially the Pakthun, struggle against militancy and Talibanisation in the country. Her father and her family stood steadfast in the fight against the Taliban in Swat giving hope and courage to many around them. The image of Swati men dancing to the news of Malala winning the Nobel is enough to break the stereotype of a Pakthun as a conniving, bearded, women-hating Talib portrayed in the media and elsewhere. Her success manifests a race that has always stood up to the aggressor and, despite the conservative nature of this society, women have been in the forefront of the Pakthun struggle throughout history.

On the regional level, Pakistan’s Malala winning the prize along with Indian Kailash Sathyarthi sends out a message to both neighbours. At a time when shells and bullets are fired at our borders, it is people like Malala and Kailash who give us hope of happier and prosperous times of peaceful coexistence and working on issues that affect the future generations of both countries.

In the end, just one point about the Edhi versus Malala debate that is doing the rounds. Yes, Edhi deserves a peace prize more than anyone else in Pakistan. Yes, he is the one man who has defined philanthropy in the country like no one else. His work is monumental, rather legendary. One Nobel might not even do justice to his work. His stature is way above the prize and other such prizes. British journalist Peter Oborne described him as a saint fit for sainthood. He himself has been on record stating he has no want for the award. And this in no way abates any of Malala’s achievements or her Nobel Prize.

As a matter of fact, we as Pakistanis should be proud that despite difficult and trying times we produce so many real life heroes and heroines, each one deserving the prize more than the other. We can dream of a day when the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz will be more sought after than any award of the world. I read somewhere on a friend’s Facebook page, a poem written by a young Pakistani girl where she dreams of a Pakistan “Jab aik ropay ke dollar char milain ge” (when one rupee will give you four dollars). Idealistic, far-fetched, seemingly childish, impractical thoughts but no one can deny the power of dreams. Dreams make individuals and nations take the path of progress, development and advancement. These dreamers become our heroes when their dreams become realities. Malala is a dreamer and so is Edhi. They define what an average Pakistani is capable of with the power of dreams, hard work, courage and perseverance.

For once, let us break away from our national tradition and celebrate an achievement unanimously. Let us not debate about who won and who did not. Let us celebrate the fact that we are a country of brave men and women, heroes and heroines, fighters and survivors. Let hatred or bias not deter us! Let there be more Malalas, Edhis and, in case we have forgotten, many, many more Aitzaz Hassans for us to be proud of.

The writer is a communication specialist, former television producer and a peacenik. She can be reached at gulalaikhan@gmail.com