OXFORD: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai has called on the international community to put pressure on the Taliban and should not maintain normal relations with a barbaric regime because the Taliban are oppressing half of their country, depriving girls and women of their rights.
Malala spoke to Geo News as her portrait was unveiled at Oxford University’s Lady Margaret Hall - painted by portrait artist Isabella Watling, and commissioned by in collaboration with the Oxford Pakistan Programme, with help from donor and Karachi-origin businessman Hamid Ismail. The event was attended by nearly 200 people including Oxford alumni, academics and Malala’s family Ziauddin Yousafzai, Toor Pekai Yousafzai, Khushal Khan Yousafzai and her husband Asser Malik. The portrait unveiling marks a great moment for Pakistan as Malala becomes the second only female Pakistani, after Benazir Bhutto, who portrait will be displayed in Oxford University to mark Malala’s contribution.
Speaking to Geo News, Malala said that the first female Muslim Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was an inspiration for her and it was her honour that her portrait will be placed in the same Lady Maragaret Hall as Benazir’s. “Benazir is not only an inspiration for women in Pakistan but for women around the world. I have always adored her,” she said.
Malala said all countries should act on the basis of human rights, and Muslim countries also have a responsibility to condemn the Taliban’s un-Islamic actions. She said the Taliban must understand their religion, as acquiring knowledge is part of faith, and they cannot deny any girl education in the name of religion.
She thanked the Oxford University for honouring her. She added: “More than anything, I hope this portrait serves as a reminder that a girl from Swat Valley belongs here. That the next girl from a village in Pakistan, or Afghanistan, or anywhere in the world, belongs here too. That our stories, our perspectives and our dreams are valued.”
