Inspirational Malala set to accept peace award

The inspirational Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai will this evening accept the Tipperary International Peace Award in a ceremony at the Ballykisteen Hotel.

Malala will join an illustrious line of recipients, including Nelson Mandela, Benazir Bhutto, Bill Clinton, and Bob Geldof. She is receiving the specially commissioned Crystal Dove of Peace for her campaigning work to ensure the right of girls worldwide to education.

Malala, shot in the head by the Taliban last year for her campaign, has made a remarkable recovery, and will be joined in Tipperary by father Ziauddin.

Already named as one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time magazine, she is a nominee for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, and has been called the world’s most influential teenager.

Martin Quinn of the Tipperary Peace Convention said: “We are delighted that Malala has agreed to accept the award in person. We are really looking forward to receiving her and presenting her with this well-deserved accolade. Malala now joins the illustrious list of past recipients of the peace prize, which includes former prime minister of Pakistan, the late Benazir Bhutto, Malala’s hero.

“The right to education is denied to 61m children of primary school age around the world and the hopes of these children are represented by the qualities that she displays and by the voice that is Malala Yousafzai.”

Malala supported Plan Ireland’s ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign, which aims to support millions of girls to get the education, skills, and support they need to transform their lives.

This is the first time Malala has supported an international non-governmental organisation’s education initiative.

Mike Mansfield of Plan Ireland said: “Malala’s story has struck a chord across the world. This young campaigner has become an inspiration to millions. This is an extraordinary, brave young woman who, when faced with death refused to give up and refused to be silent.

“However, we mustn’t forget there are millions of ‘other Malalas’ across the world who are excluded daily from learning by violence, discrimination or harmful traditional practices.”

The Tipperary Peace Prize was set up in the 1980s to honour individuals who make special contributions to the cause of peace.

* The ceremony takes place at 9pm tonight at the Ballykisteen Hotel at Limerick Junction, Co Tipperary.