"People ask me, what special is in my mentorship which has made Malala so bold and so courageous and so vocal and poised? I tell them, don't ask me what I did. Ask me what I did not do. I did not clip her wings, and that's all."
About Ziauddin Yousafzai
Ziauddin Yousafzai — Life and Legacy
Ziauddin Yousafzai is a prominent Pakistani educator and activist recognized for his unwavering commitment to advocating for girls' education. As the father of Malala Yousafzai, he has played a crucial role in her journey as a global symbol of the fight for educational rights. His core belief is that education is the key to empowerment, encapsulated in his assertion that 'education is the only solution.' This perspective reflects his understanding of the systemic barriers that girls face in accessing education, particularly in conservative regions. Ziauddin’s quotes often highlight the necessity of challenging societal norms that restrict educational opportunities. He emphasizes that when girls are educated, they not only transform their own lives but also contribute significantly to their communities. His advocacy is rooted in personal experience, having witnessed the struggles of girls in his own community. By promoting education as a fundamental right, he challenges the status quo and inspires others to take action. Today, Ziauddin Yousafzai's influence extends beyond his immediate community; his words resonate globally, reminding us of the importance of education in fostering equality and social justice. His insights continue to inspire a new generation of activists, reinforcing the idea that education is not just a privilege but a powerful tool for change.
Quote collection
Ziauddin Yousafzai quotes
17 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Education is not simply to learn to read and write. It's emancipation. It makes you free."
"Honour your daughters, trust them and most importantly, educate them."
"You may think I'm brave. But in the eyes of many people back in my country I am a coward. They think, this man gave so much freedom to his daughter, he broke all the traditions of our society."
"Trust your daughters, they are faithful. Honor your daughters, they are honorable. Educate your daughters, they are amazing."
"Take the example of my daughter. A lot of people were speaking out about education when the Taliban were bombing schools in Swat Valley, but Malala's voice was like a crescendo. It spread all around the world. She was the smallest but her voice was the biggest, because she was speaking for herself."
"When in many societies, fathers are usually known by their sons, I am one of the few fathers who is known by his daughter, and I'm proud of it."
"Education is power. It is just like a light in complete darkness."
"I did not clip the wings of my daughter to fly."
"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."
"She became a very famous, very popular young girl. Before that, she was my daughter, but now I'm her father."
"When people hear my daughter and when they know about her wisdom and maturity, they think that her father must have been sitting with her and mentoring her. They think he would have spent a lot of time in bringing her up. They think he would have constructed her."
"On his daughter Malala Yousafzai: She was very articulate, more than me. She could say things in a very few words that I take a long time to communicate."
"On his daughter Malala Yousafzai: When she was very small I used to say to her, 'tell me Malala, how is the school going?' And she'd say 'it is so-so, you should change this and this...' I trusted her wisdom."
"When the voice of truth rises from the minarets, the Buddha smiles, and the broken chain of history reconnects."
"The world turned into a big black hole while my daughter was on the verge of life and death."
"A good girl is supposed to be very quiet"