Two years ago, Malala Yousafzai, a 15-year old student-turned-activist, was a moderately known, unassuming girl, who chose to ignore the death threats slipped under the door at her house and published in local newspapers. On October 9, 2012, Malala was shot by a Taliban gunman. Almost exactly two years later, on October 10, 2014, Malala, became the second Pakistani, and youngest person ever, to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, which she shared with India’s Kailash Satyarthi, a child’s rights activist.
Much like Dr Abdus Salam, who won the honors in 1979, opinion on the individual and the prize is less of a spectrum and more of a diametric divide. You either love Malala, and all that she stands for, and all the accolades showered upon her since her terrible ordeal in 2012, or you despise her, ridicule her, and get frustrated with every new award bestowed upon her.
“I just don’t understand what she has done to promote peace,” says Rafiq Mehmood, a 47-year old painter from Lahore, who lives squarely below the poverty line. “Education, maybe I can see [how that would apply], but she seems to incite more than [promote] peace.” People like Rafiq question the validity of simultaneously awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to a 17-year old, and a 60-year old with four decades dedicated to promoting child rights.
A schoolgirl from Malala's hometown Mingora writes her name on the blackboard
[quote]The title 'Peace Prize' may be a little misleading[/quote]
To be fair, the title “Peace Prize” may be a little misleading. This year, the prestigious award was given to the two individuals “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education”. The award was given to a Muslim Pakistani and a Hindu Indian. In recent years, the award has been accused of being highly politicized and largely symbolic. In 2012, it was awarded to the European Union “for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe”. In 2009, it was awarded to American President Barack Hussein Obama “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples”. Other laureates include former American Vice President Al Gore (2007) for his work on climate change, the UN (2001) for “a more peaceful world”, Yasser Arafat, Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres (1994), Mother Teresa (1979), the International Labor Organization (1969), and the International Red Cross Committee (1917/1944/1963). The Peace Prize, therefore, is a broad category, encompassing a wide range of parameters.
The Nobel Prize, first awarded in 1901, awards outstanding contributions for mankind in the field of Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace, Physiology or Medicine, and Economic Sciences, with the last one being a memorial award inaugurated in 1969. For the Nobel Peace Prize, the Nobel Committee, of the Nobel Foundation, asks for nominations from governments, professors, clergy members, former prize laureates, and members (current or former) of the Nobel Committee. The Nobel Peace Prize is unique in that it may be awarded to institutions, whereas all other Nobel Prizes must be awarded to individuals. A comprehensive selection process then determines the recipients, and the decision cannot be appealed or challenged. Each winner is awarded a unique diploma from the King of Sweden or the Chairman of the Nobel Committee, along with prize money equivalent of around $1.1 million.
A portrait of Malala Yousafzai is seen in the Nobel's Garden in the Nobel Peace Center
[quote]The award money is a bone of contention for Malala's critics[/quote]
The award money is another bone of contention for Malala’s critics, many of whom believe the West will buy whatever she is selling, because she is a source of vindication and validation for their actions. On the other side of this divide are those who appreciate and celebrate Malala. Rauf Muhammad, a taxi driver in Islamabad, wants his daughters to be inspired by her. “Education is extremely important,” he said. “I work 18-20 hour days so I can give them a good education, but not all parents are able to do that. What Malala does, what she stands for, I want that for my daughters. I want them to be Malalas.”
Adoration or ridicule, it seems there is no avoiding Malala Yousafzai. Her actions, awards and speeches polarize Pakistan, while she is almost universally idolized and adored worldwide. Fahd Husain, Director News Express News, a private media channel in Lahore, believes all Pakistanis should be proud of Malala. “It is unfortunate that there is so much divisive opinion on the issue,” he said. “This is a fantastic thing for Pakistan, and it is a fantastic thing for Malala.”
The author is a journalist and a development professional, and holds a Master’s degree in strategic communications from Ithaca College, New York.
