Mohammed bin Zayed receives Malala

General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, yesterday received at Al Bahr Palace the Pakistani campaigner, Malala Yousafzai, 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 General Mohammed for assistance and support during her ordeal, noting that General Mohammed's role highlights the humanitarian aspects of Islamic teachings.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi was assured about the health of Malala after receiving treatment for her head injuries in the United Kingdom.

General 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 education worldwide.

He 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.

General Mohammed said Emirati women scored many achievements in all fields, citing the efforts of 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.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler`s Representative, Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court and Sheikh Omar bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation.

Malala was shot on the head on October 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.



 

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