Malala Yousafzai - Inspiration Or Danger?

[naomi24]

The All Pakistan Private Schools Federation, which says it represents more than 152,000 institutions across the country, has decided that allowing pupils to read the book, ‘I am Malala’, would have a "negative" effect on them. The federation's president, Mirza Kashif, said, "Pakistan is an ideological country. That ideology is based on Islam.... In this book are many comments that are contrary to our ideology."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/inspiration-or-danger-private-schools-in-pakistan-ban-malala-yousafzais-book-8930925.html

What hope for education - or for progress?

[youngmafbog]

It is Pakistan, not the UK. They have a different view and way on life.

What hope for education? well I'm sure sure this will have any effect whatsoever on general education just maybe on religious beliefs. For progress? Depends what progress you mean. Progressing out of the 15C religion well yess, no progress. But if they are happy in Pakistan then I dont see it our business to consider change or 'progress' is required.

Unless they then come here, in which case they should adopt our ideals and not want to force theirs on us.

[mikey4444]

The answer must be education, education, education naomi. Pakistan is a backward, third world country. Its only been in existence as a sovereign nation for less than 70 years. Its hampered by a religion that was invented about 1500 years ago, that hasn't kept up with all the modern changes that has happened in Christianity and the rest of the civilized world. I wish I knew how to change things a bit quicker than is happening but I can't really see how it can be done, except from within. A depressing thought no doubt.

[emmie]

inspiration, but she would be a dead Malala if she returns there.

[youngmafbog]

Mickey, just out of interest why do you consider your religion and Western ways to be better?

And why do you want to force it on a country where the majority of people seem happy to live like that?

I really dont think it our business or right to tell another country how to behave unless it has the potential of harming us.

[mikey4444]

ymg...I have no religion and I'm not sure what you mean by "Western ways"

As far as I know, little girls are not shot in the head in Britain, on a bus, in front of other kids, just because they want to go to school. So I am going to stick my neck out here and say...yes, our Western ways ARE superior in that department at least, without any shadow of a doubt.

Religious nutters are being fermented and exported from backward countries like Pakistan, to places all over the world and are a constant threat to us here in Britain. So I think we have every right to criticise Pakistan for allowing and encouraging the kind of behaviour outlined in naomi's post.

[tamborine]

Lots of kids ww dont go to school, as is their culture or unaffordable. Malala is blessed to have the opportunity UK has offered her & family. She should forget the stirring & concentrate on her studies.

[ladybirder]

I don't think Malala is the 'I'm alright bugger the rest of you' type of girl thank goodness.

[FredPuli43]

Reminds me of the Catholic church banning books it didn't agree with.

[Gromit]

I have not read it, so I do not know if what she says is fair or good for Pakistan.

When did you read it?

Is it any good?

[ludwig]

It sounds a bit like they're scared of the Taleban as much as anything. I can imagine any person or institution appearing to support the book might make themselves a target for reprisals.

Difficult to tell as it's a pretty retarded place anyhow, even without the Taleban.

[naomi24]

Gromit, I’m surprised that you would consider it acceptable to ban any book - you being so liberally minded and all that. I wonder what your reaction would be if I suggested banning the Koran and the Hadith (not that I would) – because since their contents result in girls remaining uneducated (and being shot) it follows that they are not good for Pakistan.

(I’m reading it at the moment. Why do you ask?).

Mikey, well said.

[Kromovaracun]

This is arguably more sinister than the original shooting.

[naomi24]

Indeed it is, Krom.

[mikey4444]

Naomi...thanks !

[mikey4444]

Naomi...I feel the need to come to the defence of Gromit. I have read his post 3 times and I can see no reference to banning this book, or that he considers it acceptable to do so. Gromit is one of the Good Guys here on AB and I really don't think he deserves any criticism here. He was merely asking if the book was any good. When you have finished reading it, perhaps you will enlighten us !

Tamborine...I'm not sure what to say about your post ! So when Malala held the United Nations in thrall a few weeks ago, she was "stirring" ?

Extraordinary !

This is the 21st century. If there is any country or culture that still thinks its OK to ban children, especially girls from going to school, then I suggest that is backward thinking, and ought to change asap.

Affordability, however, is quite another thing, but when Malala was shot in the head on the school bus, I'm not sure that the Taliban were embarking on a new economic argument !

[ludwig]

// I can see no reference to banning this book, or that he considers it acceptable to do so. //

I believe he was suggesting that if Pakistan thinks it's ok to ban the book, then that's their business, and anyone that hasn't read it (as he suspects Naomi hasn't) isn't really in a position to comment.

[naomi24]

Mikey, Good guys, bad guys? Come on! ‘News’ isn’t ‘Chatterbank’, and shouldn’t be reduced to a puerile level. Hopefully, we’re grown-ups here, and Gromit is well aware that he and I sometimes agree and sometimes we don’t – and he is also well aware that I say what I think. Very occasionally you’ll even find me supporting the odd Labour politician. ;o)

Gromit has made his position on this perfectly clear. He hasn’t read the book so he’s undecided, but whether or not I have read the book is irrelevant. In my opinion, banning books is the first step on a very slippery slope – which is exactly what Krom has said. Ban this today and what will be banned tomorrow? This is thought control. You who are fortunate enough to be able to make an informed judgement and really think about it - think about it.

And, yes, once I have finished reading it, it will be my pleasure to enlighten you – if I haven’t already done so. ;o)

[keyplus90]

"Had Malala died in a drone attack carried by USA, World would have never known about her and British media owuld have never talked about her." George Galloway

[Peter Pedant]

well yes George and no one would be quoting Geo Galloway unless it were a pro palestinian view....

and I wouldnt be writing this unless

[mikey4444]

Naomi...I still can't see anything in Gromit's post that suggest he favours banning this book, which is what you appear to be accusing him of, in your post of 12.28. Here is the text of his post ::

"I have not read it, so I do not know if what she says is fair or good for Pakistan.

When did you read it?

Is it any good "

But I expect Gromit is fully able to defend himself.

Previous utterances from George Galloway need to be taken into account when deciding if he is to be taken seriously or not on this subject ::