click image for source: Amnesty International

On October 9th Malala Yousafzai, a 15-year-old girl living in Swat, Pakistan, was shot in the head by members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Malala has already become celebrated in Pakistan for speaking out against Taliban rule and for fighting for education for women.

That morning, as I drove to work, I listened to an NPR broadcast about the shooting and I was sickened and angered and scared all at the same time. Still am, really, when I see her story trickle up in my various feeds.

She has such huge strength. And she was shot with deliberate intent. They stopped her bus, asked where she was, and shot her. Then left her. It is one of the most cowardly, evil acts I have ever heard of.

And yet, my faith is not shaken. It is not the Taliban's evil that we should focus on, but on Malala's courage and determination in the face of their terrorism. This story strengthens my faith in humanity because Malala exists and her spark is one that will never be stifled.

news sources:
Aljazeera, NPR