Brutal tragedy brings attention to women’s rights

Our View

Malala Yousufzai put her life on the line for what she believed in. The 14-year-old schoolgirl shot in Pakistan for wanting an education has sparked outrage across the globe. As she lay in an England hospital bed, the Taliban, responsible for shooting the girl, vowed to finish off their job. In a statement released by the Pakistani Taliban, they said “although she was young and a girl, and Taliban does not believe in attacking women, but whomsoever leads any campaign against Islam and Shariah is ordered to be killed by Shariah. It is not merely allowed to kill such a person but is obligatory in Islam.”

The Taliban attracts members because they are “people of faith fighting to protect religion under siege,” but have they ever heard of thou shalt not kill? Is the Taliban so threatened by a 14-year-old girl desiring an education that they vow to finish her off for good? The answer is yes. So how godly can this group be if they’re willing to kill an innocent young woman of their own faith?

The story of Malala should open the eyes of women’s rights supporters. Muslim women are not sitting back accepting suppression. Like Malala, many are actively resisting, even with knowledge that extremists are hungry to attack. The Taliban has been defeated before by military, law and diplomacy. The 14-year-old schoolgirl fighting for her life may be key to their undoing. If nothing at all, this horrid story of an innocent young lady craving an education in a torn country exposes how cruel and un-Islamic the Taliban really is.

(B.K. Bangash/AP Photo)

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