By TCN Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: Civil society members of Khudai Khidmatgar, NAPM, Asha Parivar and COVA jointly organised a candle vigil to show solidarity with young activist from Pakistan Malala Yousafzai.
14 year old Malala was shot in head, allegedly by two Talibani attackers, when she was on her way to school. The young crusader from Pakistan’s Swat region has become a symbol of peace and empowerment. She shot to fame in 2009, when she started writing for the Urdu service of the BBC Word.
The candle vigil and prayer for Malala was held in front of the Dargah of Sufi saint Hazrat Nizmauddin Auliya today at around 6.00 p.m. Protesters held posters, placards, flowers and candles and prayed for her well being, who has been flown to England for treatment.
They labeled the ‘heinous’ attack against Islam and humanity. Speaking to TCN Faisal Khan, Convenor of Khudai Khidmatgar said, “Our protest is against all kinds of violence in the name of religion and negative fundamentalism.”
Khan added, “While we need to condemn violence and killing by Western occupying forces and drone attacks, we also need to ‘non-violently’ fight fundamentalism.”
Ehsan Hashmi, advocate and another member of the group, reiterated, “We salute the courage of young Malala and support her struggle for education and women empowerment.”
Khudai Khidmatgar Ulema Wing Convener Moulana Fateh Mohammed Nadwi, who also took part in the vigil, condemned all kinds of fundamentalism and imperialism across the world.
Solidarity marches in support of young Malala are being organized all over the world.
TCN has learnt that a group of Afghan students, studying in the Punjab University, are also going to hold a candle vigil tomorrow in the evening.
A renowned campaigner for girls’ education, she was attacked on her way home from school and a bullet was removed from her skull.