September 13, 2022
The Interfaith Peace Project will observe this year’s International Day of Peace by sending out a reflection each day from September 10 through September 21. Today is the third reflection. If you miss any reflections, you will find them on our website: interfaithpeaceproject. org.
We will continue our ongoing observance of the International Day after September 21, by sending out a reflection on the twenty-first of every month. We invite you to share in this effort by sending any articles or information that you would like to share to:
Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P
[email protected]
925-787-9279
CELEBRATING THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
SEPTEMBER 10 – 21, 2022
Malala Yousafzai
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2014
Pakistan
Profile
Malala is a Pakistani activist for female education and the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Awarded when she was 17, she is the World’s youngest Nobel Prize laureate and second Pakistani ever receive a Nobel Prize.
On October 9, 2012, while on a bus in her native Swat region of Pakistan, Malala and two other girls were shot by Taliban gunmen in an assassination attempt in retaliation for her activism. She was shot in the head with a bullet and remained unconscious and in critical condition for many months. As Malala began her recovery and physical therapy, her determination and passion for advocating for the education of women and children in her community and country strengthened her resolve and efforts. Her advocacy grew into an international movement, and the former Prime Minister of Pakistan said she has become Pakistan’s “most prominent citizen.” Malala has continued to advocate for women and girls’ education globally. She has expanded her mission and vision by giving interviews and speeches, and writing about this global concern. In recognition of her contribution to this cause, Desmond Tutu nominated her for the International Children’s Peace Prize.
Malala’s Words of Wisdom
“It is a difficult time I must say. We are living in a global pandemic right now, extremist views are still there, there’s hatred against different races, against diversity, against inclusion, against individual ethnicities and communities, and that does put out a great challenge in front of us.”
“Then we have challenges in terms of environment and how we can save the space and air that we are living in. So it is a difficult time, there are still 130 million girls who are out of school, but I stay hopeful and optimistic because it has to change one day. And I believe that change does not occur itself, somebody has to step out and say something and do something, and that’s how change happens. So I’m doing my part, I’m trying to do my best to ensure that we live in a world where every girl can go to school, where every girl has a voice and can learn and lead. And I believe that change is possible, but that requires us to act.”
To view Malala’s Nobel Peace Prize Lecture from 2014
click here or go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2DHzlkUI6s
Reflection
Today I will ponder in the silence of my heart
what I might say and do to bless the World.
Of course, I cannot meet the World in its totality.
So, I will ponder what I might say and do as
I meet the people in my daily life.
The World becomes a better place one person at a time.
I will remember how precious my thoughts, words,
and deeds are to the people
I meet day by day.
SOURCES
Randy Thomas
Wikipedia
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