Farahnaz Ispahani
On October 9, 2012, 15-year old Malala Yusufzai was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in response to her campaign against the destruction of girls schools in Pakistan. In the face of terror, Malala risked her life to speak out for the rights of girls everywhere. Malala’s bravery has sparked a global movement and we believe the Nobel Foundation should give her the Nobel Peace Prize.
The first step in this process is to get Malala nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Only certain people, like a Member of the National Assembly or an MPA are allowed put forward nominations. To make a major statement and to show that Pakistanis believe in Malala’s work, we need all Pakistani federal party leaders to unanimously nominate Malala for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Our work will be much enhanced if the Chief Ministers of the four provinces and individual MNAs and MPAs also sent letters to the Nobel Committee.
A Nobel Peace Prize for Malala will send a clear message that the world is watching and will support those who stand up for gender equality and universal human rights that includes the right of education for girls.
Worldwide support
While this petition was started in Canada by the Pakistani-Canadian writer Tarek Fatah, almost half the people who have signed the petition come from countries around the world.
My petition is there for the people in Pakistan to urge their own politcal leaders to nominate Malala.
The counter on this petition reflects the cumulative efforts of the original Canadian petition plus all those from around the world.
Nominators and endorsers so far:
Pakistan:
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)
Bushra Gohar, Senior VP, Awami National Party (ANP)
Ibad Rehman, Patron, Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM)
Sherry Rehman, Pakistan’s ambassador to the USA
Najam Sethi, Editor of The Friday Times, Lahore
Nadeem Paracha, columnist, the daily DAWN, Karachi
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Academy Award winning film producer
Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari
Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, Pakistan’s Ambassador for Polio Eradication
Please take a second and sign the petition by opening the page: