Malala To Receive Honorary Canadian Citizenship

Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai will visit Canada on April 12, when she will be presented with the honorary Canadian Citizenship. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced this on Monday.

“I am pleased to announce Malala Yousafzai’s upcoming visit to Canada. Ms Yousafzai’s courageous response to those who threatened her life, and her advocacy for girls’ education, has inspired many millions of people around the world. Her story is one of determination and dignity, and Canada is proud to call her an honorary citizen of this great country. I look forward to attending the upcoming ceremony and witnessing the historic moment when she becomes the youngest person to address the Parliament of Canada," Trudeau stated in a statement, Geo.tv reported.

Also Read: What Makes Malala A Most Inspirational Personality

Malala is the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize winner. Trudeau and the 19-year-old Pakistani activist will table a discussion on empowerment of girls through education for the sustainable development of their communities.

On April 12, Malala Yousafzai will visit Canada, address Parliament, and receive honorary Canadian citizenship: https://t.co/5KIVLELtyR

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 3, 2017

Malala will address Canada’s Parliament on April 12 (again becoming the youngest person to do so), following which a ceremony would be conducted to present her the citizenship, Trudeau’s office said.

Malala was bestowed honorary Canadian citizenship by the House of Commons in October 2014 for exceptional courage in the fight for women and girls’ rights of education. However, the official ceremony will be happening now.

Read More About The Game Changer: Malala Yousafzai

The Nobel Laureate heroically survived a Taliban attack at age 15 when she was targeted for promoting girls' education. Instead of cowing her down, the attack has spurred her on to champion for women’s rights issues. She became world famous as a spokesperson for the girl child's education.

“The people of Canada are leading the world in their response to the refugee crisis," said Malala ahead of her visit. “I am honoured by the Parliament’s invitation and look forward to visiting this great nation of heroes,” she added.

Also read: What I gathered from Malala and Emma Watson’s talk on feminism

Malala is one of just six people to receive the honorary Canadian citizenship. The others are Raoul Wallenberg, Nelson Mandela, the 14th Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi, and the Aga Khan.

Now a citizen of England, the young, fierce and ever-bold Yousafzai works tirelessly for various programmes and promotes education among children, especially girls. She is and always will be a symbol we girls can look up to.

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