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| Malala Yousafzai |
The 16-year-old’s outspoken beliefs on the right to education – especially for women and girls – made her a target of the Taliban, the Islamic fundamentalist organization that once provided safe harbor for Osama bin Laden, and which believes in the strict implementation of Sharia law. Yousafzai was shot in the head in October of last year by Taliban fighters while she was on the bus going home from school. She was eventually airlifted to the United Kingdom for treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, which specializes in the treatment of military personnel who receive similar head injuries while in conflict. Yousafzai now lives with her family in the West Midlands region of England while she continues her rehabilitation and goes to school.
But on Friday, she admitted that she had to skip school so that she could attend the reception that was being hosted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, which was attended by over 350 guests from academic institutions from across the world, as well as representatives from across the Commonwealth. Students from St. Winefride's School in Manor Park, East London, were also there, as well as the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra.
The Queen, who was reported to have been keen on Yousafzai’s progress, appeared to be delighted to meet the girl, who since the attack has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize (though the prize eventually went to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons), met with President Barack Obama, and spoken before the United Nations.
Accompanied by her father Ziauddin, Malala gave the Queen a copy of her book, I Am Malala, and told her of the importance of every child having access to education, including in the United Kingdom. Prince Philip jokingly interjected that in Britain, people only send their children to school so as to get them out of the house, to which Malala was reduced to a fit of giggles. Malala also talked to the couple about their previous visits to Pakistan, particularly a visit while the Queen was in her 20’s, when she came to the Swat Valley region from which Malala hails.
After the reception, Malala expressed her appreciation for the events of that day, saying that she felt honored to meet the Queen. Before going to the Palace, she said that she was a bit nervous, in part because she was not sure about the proper etiquette when in the presence of the Queen (such as whether to curtsey and when to speak), but remarked that the Queen put her at ease by talking to her "in a friendly kind of way." She also expressed hope that the Queen and the UK Government could help provide support to her campaign for education
Other members of the royal family who were in attendance were the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, as well as Princess Beatrice. Upon meeting Malala, the Princess shook her hand, told her that it was "incredible" that she had achieved much in the last year, and that she was honored to meet her. Beatrice also said that her mother, Sarah, Duchess of York had been "completely moved" by what Malala had done, and would like to meet her as well.
Personally, this author has also been moved by the bravery and courage of Malala Yousafzai. Being outspoken about the right to education for women and girls in a place where such an idea can meet a hostile reception certainly earns much respect, but even after the attack, she has remained defiant in the face of continued threats against her life. In addition, she has shown nothing but poise, distinction, and dignity throughout her time in the spotlight (which unfortunately, is not always exhibited in what passes for female role models these days). On Saturday, she displayed such poise and dignity again upon receiving an honorary Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh.
It is also a good thing that the Queen and the United Kingdom have welcomed Malala and her family with open arms. In fact, Elizabeth II herself is very familiar with meeting people from various backgrounds and cultures, as Head of the Commonwealth of Nations. In the course of her 61-year reign, the Queen as visit almost every Commonwealth country (including Pakistan), and has gone out of her way to make Commonwealth leaders and peoples feel comfortable in their interactions against her, especially when they come to visit Britain. In Robert Hardman’s book, Her Majesty: Queen Elizabeth II and Her Court, such leaders have remarked that the Queen knows personal details about things within their countries which only could have been gained through all of those visits over the years. As a result, the President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, has remarked that he has not "seen anyone who understands us more." Hardman concludes that the Queen's devotion to the Commonwealth (even when her ministers in Britain are not as enthusiastic) is a reason for why minority communities in Britain are endeared to her and respect her. Indeed, it is her willingness to go halfway around the world to meet and engage with people so different from her (and much of Britain) that has perhaps allowed for "friendly" moments like the meeting between her and Malala.
Photo Credit: Diogenes 013
via Wikimedia Commons
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