Yahoo Lifestyle Malala Yousafzai Sends Message Of Support To Pakistan
Nobel Peace Prize winner and education activist Malala Yousafzai says she is "heartbroken" by the news of a Taliban massacre at a school in Peshawar, Pakistan.
The 17-year old joined leaders around the world in condemning the senseless attack, which killed 132 children in her hometown.
"I am heartbroken by this senseless and cold-blooded act of terror in Peshawar that is unfolding before us," said Yousafzai in a statement.
"Innocent children in their school have no place in horror such as this. I condemn these atrocious and cowardly acts and stand united with the government and armed forces of Pakistan whose efforts so far to address this horrific event are commendable."
The BBC reports that there are various reasons for the attack, one of which appears to be an attempt to demoralize the military.
"Many of the soldiers and officers fighting the Taliban have their children in this school so this is an attempt to demoralise the military," said Ahmed Rashid, an expert on the Islamic militants, adding that it may also have been a "message for supporters of Malala".
Gordon Brown, the United Nations special envoy for global education, said the whole world would be shocked and heartbroken to learn of the massacre.
"We must remain resolute in saying that no terrorist group can at any time ever justify denying children the right to an education and we will do everything in our power to support the Pakistan authorities and make sure their schools are safe and protected.
"It has never been acceptable for schools to be places of conflict and for children to be subject to violence simply because they want to learn. Education is opportunity and hope for building nations.
"Too often innocent girls and boys have become targets for terrorists who want to deny children the right to education and schools have become theatres of war.
"No one has the right to deny a boy or girl their education and we will stand alongside the parents and the children against the Taliban's refusal to recognise every child has the right to education."
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