The extremists are afraid of books and pens, the power of education frightens them. they are afraid of women.

My mother always told me,”hide your face- people are looking at you”. I would reply,”It does not matter; I am also looking at them.

I had 2 choices, be silent and get killed, or speak up and be killed, I chose the second option.

The Taliban could take our pens and books, but they couldn’t stop our minds from thinking.

I do not even hate the Talib who shot me. Even if there was a gun in my hand and he was standing in front of me, I would not shoot him.

It gives a message to people of love... it does not matter what's the colour of your skin, what language do you speak, what religion do you believe in. It is that we should all consider each other as human beings and we should respect each other.

Instead of sending guns, send books. Instead of sending weapons, send teachers.