Mohamed bin Zayed praises Pakistan rights activist Malala Yousafsai

Abu Dhabi, May 28, 2013 (WAM) - His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, yesterday received at Al Bahr Palace Pakistani girl, Malala Yousafsai, who was attacked last year in her village of Mingora, over calling for girls' education. On her way to perform Omrah rituals, Malala stopped over in Abu Dhabi to thank the UAE and Sheikh Mohamed for their assistance and support during her ordeal, noting that Sheikh Mohamed's role highlights the humanitarian aspects of Islamic religion teachings. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi was assured about the health of Malala after receiving the treatment from her head injuries in the United Kingdom. Sheikh Mohammed appreciated the determination exhibited by Malala to overcome difficulties so that she would continue her noble mission, adding that it was a duty of all people to standby Malala, while she is spreading the principles of love and peace. He hoped that Malala would be a paradigm shift in spreading the education worldwide. Sheikh Mohamed said that the education of women was a basic right in accordance with the Islamic religion teachings, indicating that the UAE was well ahead regarding the empowerment of women in the area of education so as to discharge their roles in accordance with the legacy outlined by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He reiterated the interest of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in empowering women to play their pivotal role in comprehensive development, adding that that approach has helped the UAE to attain prestigious status regarding the social justice, respect and tolerance. Sheikh Mohamed said Emirati women scored many achievements in all fields, citing the efforts of H. H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council of Motherhood and Childhood, in supporting the women and contribution to the nation-building, as well as catapulting Emirati women to occupy the leading and executive posts in the country. He also referred to Sheikha Fatima's humanitarian role, especially in the areas of women and childhood. Malala was shot on the head on Oct. 9th, 2012, while returning home from the school in Wadi Swat, Pakistan, because of her defence of women's right for education. She was rushed to the UK for the treatment upon the efforts exerted by the UAE. She got recovered and now back at school. – Emirates News Agency, WAM