a light shining bright: Malala Yousafzai

                                                                      (Shakti, 2006)

Hearing the story of little Mulala Yousafzai this weekend infuriated me. just sent me over the edge of despair and anger and sadness...all churning together.  Have you heard about her? She was shot in the head and neck (at point blank range) by the Taliban in Pakistan. So...what was the "crime" of this little 14 year old girl, we may wonder?? Her crime was this: light, hope, truth, heart, courage, intelligence. What were her weapons? Books. What did she want? An education. And the Taliban...what are their crimes??? Cowardice, hate, ignorance, violence...  fear turned evil.

Malala Yousafzai: you are a light shining bright. And no-one-NO-ONE-can snuff that out. You epitomise bravery and tenacity...heart. All you wanted was for girls to have the right to an education. She has been an activist and advocate for children and girls since the age of 11. In so much of the world, this is a crime. It strikes fear into the very  heart of patriarchy, militants... ignorance. 

 Dear Malala: now that you are fighting for you life...so much of the world sends you love, blessings and prayers for a recovery. Your bravery makes us all strive to be more courageous. To stand up for what we believe in, for what we know in our hearts, is wrong. We stand with you. xxx