I don't want to be thought of as the 'girl who was shot by the Taliban' but the 'girl who fought for education. This is the cause to which I want to devote my life.

When someone takes away your pens you realise quite how important education is.

Why is it, that giving guns is so easy, but giving books is so hard?

We call upon all communities to be tolerant, to reject prejudice based on caste, creed, sect, colour, religion or agenda to ensure freedom and equality for women so they can flourish. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.

My father always says that heroism is in the Pashtun DNA.

read thousands of books and I will power myself with knowledge. Pens and books are the weapons that defeat terrorism.

The important thing to note is that it is not important whether Malala was shot or not - Malala is not asking for personal favors or support. She is asking for support with girls' education and women's rights. So don't support Malala, support her campaign for girls' education and women's rights.