Religion caused her to be attempted to be killed in 2012, but at the same time it is her faith that keeps her fighting.
Friday 29 March at 10:46 a.m
– Islam guides me to know what is wrong.
That’s what activist and peace prize winner Malala Yousafzai (26) says, who fights against the systematic oppression of girls and women.
In a new interview with the website Muslim Girl, she opened up about her life.
– I grew up in a Muslim country and in a Muslim family where I was committed to the teachings of Islam. So faith has always been a big part of my life, says Yousafzai.
The interview was made in connection with “Muslim Women’s Day”, which marks women’s rights. Recently, she has focused on the situation in Afghanistan.
– The country is not the only Muslim country in the world, but it is the only country in the world that stops girls from going to school. What I do know, as a practicing Muslim, is that education is indeed compulsory in Islam. Islam says that you cannot remain ignorant, that you must go and seek knowledge – no matter how difficult it is, or how far you have to travel.
Yousafzai says her faith is the foundation of her activism, both with her peaceful protests and as a driving force for her commitment.
Until April 9, Muslims around the world celebrate the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
– I started learning the Koran at the age of 10, and remember that it had these powerful messages about doing good deeds and being a virtuous person. They made a big impression on me then, and have stayed with me ever since, she says.
– Exploits a distorted interpretation
Yousafzai says that the core of Islam is to ensure that others do not abuse religion to do harm.
– We see in Afghanistan how the Taliban exploit a distorted interpretation of Islam to enforce their gender apartheid regime. My faith guides me to know that it is wrong to deliberately and systematically oppress girls and women, she says.
Fought since the attack
As a 14-year-old, Malala Yousafzai became world famous after she was shot in the head by Taliban soldiers.
It happened in the Swat Valley in Pakistan on 9 October 2012. The attack happened on the school bus after she had demonstrated for girls to be allowed to go to school in her hometown.
In 2014, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and has since worked for human rights.
In 2023, she challenged the norms in her home country with a film about transgender people.
