The News Minute | November 12, 2014 | 12:45 pm IST
Malala Yousafzai, the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, is often hailed for her courage and her activism. But that does not seem to hold true for some in the country she hails from- Pakistan.
On Monday, the All Pakistan Private School Federation (APPSF) held an 'I am not Malala Day' as a mark of protest against the teenager activist's 'anti-Islam' and 'anti-Pakistan' views, states a report by NBC NEWS.
Mirza Kashif Ali, President of APPSF, told NBC NEWS, "She has criticized Pakistan's ideology, its religion, and its constitution". The Federation reportedly plans to observe every November 10 as 'I am Not Malala' day 'until Yousafzai "apologizes and disowns whatever anti-Pakistan and anti-Islam rubbish she wrote."' Ali also mentioned that Yousafzai considers US President Barack Obama as her inspiration and not the Prophet Mohammad “as her ideal, even though he is responsible for thousands of deaths in Pakistan with his drones", adds the report.
"I am not Malala" day held by some #Pakistan schools condemning #MalalaYousafzai for 'her support for Salman Rushdie' pic.twitter.com/0SkuyLphzt
— Ahmen Khawaja (@AhmenKhawaja) November 10, 2014The APPSF also asked the government to ban her memoir, I am Malala, 'because it offended Islam and the “ideology of Pakistan.”', reports The New York Times.
( Education advocate Malala Yousafzai (C) poses for a picture with youths upon her arrival for a special event marking 500 days of action for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), at the UN headquarters in New York, on Aug. 18, 2014; Photo credit: Xinhua/Niu Xiaolei/IANS )
The APPSF claims it represents around 1,50,000 schools in Pakistan.
Several social media users have expressed their disdain against the Federation's move.
Celebrating I am not Malala? So what are you guys, Osama, Baghdadi, TTP or Afia?
— Senator Bhatti (@mahobili) November 10, 2014If by 'I Am Not Malala' you mean you didn't win a Nobel Prize before you turned 18, then by God, yes you are not Malala.
— Rimmel Mohydin (@Rimmel_Mohydin) November 10, 2014Pakistan schools' association observe 'I am not Malala' Day. no love for malala in this part of the world.
— new life (@rajdeepbhatti) November 12, 2014