Students gather from across UAE to pay tribute to Malala

Dubai: Students from across the UAE paid a special tribute to Taliban shooting victim Malala Yousafzai on Monday as embassy officials from both the Pakistani and British governments confirmed she was flown to a top UK hospital.

Students from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah presented flowers and get-well cards in a special vigil at the Pakistani Embassy in Abu Dhabi in support of Malala who was shot in the head for campaigning for female education and was reported to be in a serious condition at the time of going to press yesterday.

“Malala Yousafzai is a symbol of hope and an icon of peace for regions disturbed by extremism and terrorism. This attack on a daughter of the nation is cowardly and disgusting,” said Pakistani Ambassador to the UAE Jamil Ahmad Khan.

Khan said the attack by the Taliban upon the young girl was “a heinous act by terrorist forces who are enemies of not only Pakistan but also Islam and humanity at large. Malala is a beacon of light who is carrying the flag of education and empowerment of women and is gaining strength from the pen rather than sword.”

Students prayed for two other young girls injured in last week’s attack identified as Shazia and Kainat.

The Ambassador confirmed that Malala was airlifted via air ambulance provided by the UAE in cooperation with the Pakistani military.

“The decision with regard to transfer of Malala from Pakistan to the UK was taken by a board of doctors who were overseeing Malala’s treatment in a military hospital in Pakistan,” said Khan.

Young students from across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, paid homage to what the embassy called Malala’s “courageous battle for the right to education for girls”.

Officials with the British Embassy, meanwhile, confirmed that Malala is now receiving top care by health officials in the UK.

“Malala will be treated in a UK hospital, details are not being released for reasons of patient confidentiality.”

Reports yesterday indicated she had been transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham — an NHS (National Health Service) hospital which has a specialist major trauma centre.

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said of Malala’s medevac flight to the UK yesterday: “Last week’s barbaric attack on Malala Yousafzai and her school friends shocked Pakistan and the world.

“Malala’s bravery in standing up for the right of all young girls in Pakistan to an education is an example to us all. Malala will now receive specialist medical care in an NHS hospital. Our thoughts remain with Malala and her family at this difficult time.”

Hague said Halala’s stand against the Taliban is symbolic of the strength of people’s resistance against terrorism.

“The public revulsion and condemnation of this cowardly attack shows that the people of Pakistan will not be beaten by terrorists. The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism,” said Hague.

The FCO office said that treatment costs of the young girl will be borne by the Pakistani government.

“Full costs of the medical evacuation, NHS care and any ongoing rehabilitation will be met by the Pakistani Government,” said the FCO.

General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, denounced the attack on Malala as an assault not only on a girl but also an attack on the right of every girl for a better future without injustice or prejudice.

“There must be a global condemnation of the perpetrators who must be brought to justice. Malala stood with courage against extremists who work to prevent girls from going to school, and it is everyone’s duty to stand by Malala who was seeking to promote the values of forgiveness and tolerance,” Shaikh Mohammad said.