"It is a miracle that you are here with us
today.
You had to overcome an attempt on your life,
grievous injuries inflicted by a gun,
months in hospital.
You have been taken from your own country
that you love.
Let me say the words the Taliban never wanted
her to hear: Happy 16th birthday, Malala."
Human Rights heroes embody the humanity and extraordinary
potential of every human being, the very thing
that human rights exists to protect.
Every now and then, a story of the true beauty
of the human spirit shines through, and not
only inspires us but reminds us why we fight
so hard to uphold human rights in the first
place.
Malala Yousafzai's courage and her unwavering
commitment to human dignity is an example
to us all.
She's inspired millions with her refusal to
hate those who attacked her in an effort to
deny her human rights.
In a time when Islam is being used to promote
values in stark contrast to this, and being
used to validate heinous human rights abuses,
it's very moving to hear a female voice form
the Islamic community speak out.
Both in word and deed, Malala is a living
rebuke to voices of violence.
"Although she is a profoundly influential world leader, she's also doing her GCSE's."
Human rights are the universal birthright
of all people, and Malala embodies this in
every way.
Her inner joy and compassion are palpable and come through beautifully in this film.
We get the sense that these qualities are
what led her, an ordinary girl from a humble
background, to do extraordinary things for
others, particularly women around the world.
She's a testimony to the power of one person
who is willing to speak and confront oppression
when others are silent.
"The teachers gave me extra homework."
"Shall I show you my tests and how much marks
do I get?"
Human rights heroes give us two gifts: one,
they fight for everyone's universal rights,
and two, they remind us why those rights
are worth fighting for in the first place.
When we advocate for human rights, we advocate
for the dignity and potential of every human
being to become another Malala Yousafzai.
In the face of global forces of hate and violence,
this is a fight worth fighting.
"Is it true that when you spoke with President
Obama, you talked about your concern that
drone attacks are fueling terrorism?"
"Yes, of course."
"It is an honor for me to be speaking again
after a long time.
Thank you to every person who has prayed for
my fast recovery and a new life.
The Taliban shot me on the left side of my
forehead.
They shot my friends, too.
They thought that the bullet would silence
us, but nothing changed except this: weakness,
fear, and hopelessness died.
Strength, power, and courage was born.
I am the same Malala.
My ambitions are the same, my hopes are the
same, and my dreams are the same."
