Abu Dhabi: Malala Yousufzai, the Pakistani education activist, was received by Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Shaikha Fatima stressed the important role of education for women, which helps guide their path to a brighter future that is in line with tolerant teachings of Islam and away from radicalism and extremism that have a negative impact on Islamic societies.
Shaikha Fatima pointed out the need for providing more support and encouragement to women, who aspire to be half of society and work hard alongside men to build strong and unified families that are the pillars of a nation.
Discussions
Malala said that she was delighted at meeting with Shaikha Fatima, who she described as a global symbol for women empowerment.
Malala expressed her profound thanks to the UAE and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for standing by her during her ordeal. She pointed out that Shaikh Mohammad’s support for her medical treatment has allowed her to lead a normal life again.
Book presented
Earlier on Thursday, Malala visited the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque (SZGM) in Abu Dhabi. Malala toured the SZGM centre’s library, and gifted a copy of her book, I am Malala.
The centre presented to Malala a copy of Spaces of Light, which contains winning pictures of the mosque in the Spaces of Light photography competition.
Malala expressed her admiration for the mosque’s architecture and design, and described it as one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in the Islamic world.
