Malala: The way I
understand it
How
this whole issue of Malala should be understood, first, as heroic effort from
Malala’s father, her friends and a section of Pashtun intelligentsia who was
trying to develop a counter narrative to Talibanization.?
Prior
to military operation in Swat the people of Swat and Mingora had to pass
through the worst reign of terror. While nobody knew what to do a section of
Pashtun intelligentsia raised the issue of Swat, arranged demonstration in
Islamabad, UK and Peshawar and brought to the forefront the abuses committed by
Taliban.
Mr.
Abdul Hai Kakarh who belonged to this section of intelligentsia was more
concerned about the peace in Swat and owing to his position as a journalist for
BBC he had the opportunity to engage both with the Taliban and the people of
Swat. While news from Swat came through
the mouth of Taliban’s spokesman Muslim Khan the people of Swat had to remain
silent in extreme fear. Thus Kakarh adopted a very creative yet professional
journalist tool of convincing Malala’s father to report the event through the diary
of her child. Mr. Zia ud Din, a prominent educationist, a poet and a Jirga
elder agreed as there was no risk foreseen in the pen name of Gul Makai for
Malala. During this whole time Malala’s diary was the only source of
information to the outside word about the plight of the people of Swat.
During
and after the military operation the people of Swat had to pass through the
worst crisis ever of their life and some 3-4 millions of them had to migrate
and leave their assists behind. After spending the worst time in IDP camps
these people returned to their places and began to start a normal life again. Due
to the presence of the military the fear factor was largely reduced and life
began to normalcy.
Back
in 2010 I had the opportunity to visit Swat and spend some time in Marghozar
with friends in which Zia ud Din was also present. Things have come back to
normalcy and traditional Pashtun Hujras were rehabilitated with music,
gatherings and enjoyment. It was this time that Civil Society Organizations thronged
into Swat and when it was known that Gul Makay was no other than Malala she was
treated with much enthusiasm. The provincial government invited her to the CM
house in a gathering for the people of Swat. The NGOs appreciated her courage
and termed her as the leader of the future. Pakistani media appreciated her
effort and her bold and inspiring demeanor. The federal government also
rewarded her. This was something normal for Malala and her family and the
people of Swat.
Besides
running his school Zia ud Din was an active member of the Swat Qami Jirga which
was critical of both the Taliban and the Military. Due to his active role in
Swat Qami Jarga and due to the nature of his work in education he was
threatened several times. However, he proved to be a brave man. Meanwhile
Malala became a little inspiring symbol of education and women’s empowerment
not only in Swat but the rest of Pakistan.
While
attack on Zia ud Din was probable nobody took it seriously due to the presence
of the military. But an attack on Malala was unimaginable. How could someone
attack a 12 years old child for her talent and education while she was still following
her cultural and Islamic traditions? The
attack on Malala was the most shameful act as we have no precedence of it in
both Pakhtunkhwali and Islam. But we witnessed the horrible day when Taliban
shot her and her friends and very shamelessly accepted the responsibility. The
military have to respond quick as it was also a movement of disgrace for them
for security lapses. Attacked on Malala ignited a reaction against Taliban
which further raised her stature. Malala transformed from an ordinary child to
a symbol of resistance and symbol of female education in the whole country.
Now
this argument that Zia ud Din put into danger the life of his lovely child is
totally flawed. How can a father pun into risk the life of his lovely child? If
she had died there was nothing left for him in this world. Who could have imagined that Taliban
would not even spare a child? Was it not the British hospital she would have
died long before? Many countries of the world offered her treatment but Zia ud
Din accepted his government support. Zia ud Din was appointed in Pakistan
Embassy in UK and the government provided all the support. Where was the conspiracy
in it?
It
was Gordon Brown who had realized the importance of Malala. As UN Envoy for
education he had been facing the tough time of realizing the Millennium
Development Goals as in most of the developing countries the goals were
difficult to achieve. He saw in Malala a ray of hope and an inspiration for the
whole world. And thus she reached the UN. Who could have imagined this?
But
the most important things in this whole story was Malala’s talent to show
maturity, resilience and a strong desire for growth. Without this factor luck
would not have favoured her. A history is formed before our eyes. We might be
stupid not to understand history but the world is not.
Indirectly
Malala’s journey deconstructed the discourse of militancy. This discourse is
composed of an anti-West, anti-women, anti- democracy, anti-education and
anti-Pashtun elements. Those who saw in this journey a defeat for themselves started
a heinous propaganda against her and Zia ud Din but she is now far far away to
have been affected by any such propaganda. While Malala rose to the level of international
significance her perceived opponents are engaged in weaving and knitting their
own cocoons of denial and self-destruction.
