Malala demands release of Chibok Girls
The Pakistani teenager who became famous in the campaign for girl education after she was shot in the head by Taliban shooters has told Boko Haram militants to lay down their weapons, and stop injustices and blood shedding. Malala Yousafzai, who’s in Nigeria to mark the day named after her in honour of Chibok Girls, […]
The Pakistani teenager who became famous in the campaign for girl education after she was shot in the head by Taliban shooters has told Boko Haram militants to lay down their weapons, and stop injustices and blood shedding.
Malala Yousafzai, who’s in Nigeria to mark the day named after her in honour of Chibok Girls, accused Boko Haram of misusing the name of Islam.
“We should respect each other’s conscience and religion,” said Malala.
“That is why I request you to lay down your weapons. Release your sisters and release my sisters. Release the daughters of this nation. They have suffered enough.”
In talks on Monday, she asked how the sect would feel if the girls abducted from their school more than three months ago were their sisters.
“If they suffer too the same way the same brutal and harsh situation, how would you feel?” Malala queried.
“If your own sisters are homeless, if they are around the captivity of someone who are so wild and cruel, how would you feel? Those who are under your imprisonment are like your sisters,” she said.
“You are misusing the name of Islam but you hang your Quran there. You hear about Quran there. You hear that Islam gives a message of brotherhood; that we are all sisters and brothers, and that we should respect each other and the language that we speak,” she said in an impassioned speech.
“I request you: lay down your weapons; release our sisters. Release my sisters and release the daughters of this nation. Let them be free; they have committed no crime. “
The group is thought responsible for the death of at least 5,000 people since 2009, said Human Rights Watch.
Malala on a visit to Aso Rock Villa told President Goodluck Jonathan to live up to his responsibilities and protect the lives of the citizenry.
“Today, not only I am asking the President and government of Nigeria to take action, but I am also asking that Boko Haram to stop misusing the name of Islam. Islam is a religion of peace. Islam allows every boy and every girl to get education by going to school. And, education is compulsory in Islam. The word ‘Islam’ means peace. Islam gives a message of prudence, patience, harmony and humanity.”
The 17-year-old enjoined Nigerians to strive to make the country stronger for unity.
“Do not judge each other on the basis of your religion, class, colour creed. These are just words of identity. We should treat each other as human beings.”
But in even stronger words, she targeted the international community, among them countries that have offered help to rescue Chibok Girls.