Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi

Malala Yousafzai & Kailash Satyarthi Accept Nobel Peace Prizes

Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi

Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi accepted their Nobel Peace prizes for their work in promoting children’s education and children’s rights.

Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi have made history by sharing the Nobel Peace prize this year, challenging preconceptions on what a Nobel Prize winner looks like, and how they can work with others. Many people were impressed at the way Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi were so respectful, especially considering they come from two warring nations: Pakistan and India. However, Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi’s faiths are based on peace and understanding, and that has been a direct influence in the way that they have lived their lives – leading them to this international accolade.

Both recipients earned this recognition because of their work for children and children’s rights. Malala Yousafzai was only a young teenager when she was shot in the head in her native Pakistan for attending school. She has since gone on to champion the cause of all children all over the world, and their rights to access education. Her Muslim faith has been a key part of this; Muhammad (pbuh) emphasised the importance of education throughout his teachings, both for boys and for girls.

Kailash Satyarthi, on the other hand, follows the Hindu faith – and yet his beliefs have guided his actions just as Malala Yousafzai’s have. Kailash Satyarthi has spent the majority of his life fighting for the rights of children to be children, and not to be forced to go to work. It is estimated that through his actions, millions of children have been freed from slavery and poverty, and permitted to have a childhood again.

Malala Yousafzai is the youngest recipient ever of the Nobel Peace prize, and it is very much hoped by people all around the world that her sharing of this honor with someone diametrically different to her – a man, an Indian, a Hindu – that people around the world will find peace with other people. The two shared this moment laughing and smiling, proud of their accomplishments and optimistic for their work to come.

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