The Taliban shooting of 14-year-old girls’ education rights activist Malala Yousafzai has united Pakistanis in their condemnation of the attack and their support for Malala. Protests and vigils have been held around the country, with some protestors declaring, “I am Malala,” and others carrying a banner reading, “We want our daughters to be like Malala.”
Pakistan’s president, prime minster, and political leaders joined Amnesty International and the United Nations in condemning the attack, according to NBC News. Newspapers printed front-page pictures of Malala being brought to the hospital. One newspaper used the headline, “Hate targets hope.” Universities have held rallies, vigils, and fundraiser; the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) declared Thursday “Malala Day.”
“In attacking Malala, the terrorists have failed to grasp that she is not only an individual, but an icon of courage and hope who vindicates the great sacrifices that the people of Swat and the nation gave, for wresting the valley from the scourge of terrorism,” said General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistan’s top military officer.
Here are some of the moving images of Pakistanis gathered to support Malala:
Photos from nbcnews.com, tribune.com.pk, bostonglobe.com
