I just finished reading a new book called, "I am
Malala" about a young girl who was shot by the Taliban because she was a
women's education activist. It was
really inspirational and I wrote down some quotes as I read it... and ended up
with a lot. I found that a lot of these
quotes rang true to me in my own faith and beliefs, even though they were not
said from someone with my faith or with my experiences. I love that some universal truths (ideas of
faith) are universal- that makes me believe that much more in my Heavenly
Father and his love for us all.
Here are some of them:
"We felt like the Taliban saw us as little dolls to
control, telling us what to do and how to dress. I thought if God wanted us to be like that He
wouldn't have made us all different.
(124)"
"At night our fear is strong, jani," he told me,
"but in the morning, in the light, we find our courage again." And
this is true for my family. We were scared, but our fear was not as strong as
our courage. "We must rid our valley of the Taliban, and then no one had
to feel this fear," he said. (138)
My father would say to me, "Any organization which
works for peace, I will join. If you want
to resolve a dispute or come out from conflict, the very first thing is to
speak the truth. If you have a headache
and tell the doctor you have a stomachache, how can the doctor help? You must
speak the truth. The truth will abolish fear." (139)
In his pocket he kept a poem
written by Martin Niemoller, who had lived in Nazi Germany. ..I knew he was
right. If people were silent, nothing
would change. (140)
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out--
because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for
the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they
came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they
came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for
the Catholics, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not
a Catholic.
Then they came for
me—
and there was no
one left to speak for me.
Then I'd pray to God, "Bless us. First our father and
family, then our street, then our whole mohalla,
then all Swat." Then I'd say, "No, all Muslims." Then. "No,
not just Muslims; bless all human beings." (237)
"It is my belief God sends the solution first and the
problem later," replied Dr Javid. (269)
We human beings don't realize how great God is. He has given us an extraordinary brain and a
sensitive loving heart. He has blessed
us with two lips to talk and express our feelings, two eyes which see a world
of colors and beauty, two feet which walk on the road of life, two hands to
work for us, a nose which smells the beauty of fragrances, and two ears to hear
the words of love. (301)
In the Quran it is written, God wants us to have knowledge.
He wants us to know why the sky is blue and about oceans and stars. (312)
I love my God. I thank my Allah. I talk to him all day. He is the greatest. By giving me this height
to reach people, he has also given me great responsibilities. Peace in every
home, every street, every village, every country- this is my dream. Education
for every boy and every girl in the world. To sit down on a chair and read my
books with all my friends at school is my right. To each and every human being
with a smile of happiness if my wish.
(313)
