Ziauddin Yousafzai, Malala’s father: I didn’t clip her wings

Malala’s father Ziauddin Yousafzai, who is referred to in the title of the film He Named Me Malala, is unsurprisingly one of the young activist’s strongest supporters. In an interview with The National, he talks about the importance of encouraging young girls to be independent and his pride in learning a thing or two from his resilient daughter.

You’ve supported Malala in her humanitarian commitments and her quest for education. Do you see yourself as a role model for fathers of young girls back home in Pakistan?

That is a difficult question. I don’t see myself as a role model because I am a common man. But every day I try to be a good father – not only to my daughter but also to my sons – and a good husband to my wife. In terms of being a role model for the people in Pakistan, especially fathers, I can’t call myself role model, but they can learn from my life, from the relationship my daughter and I have, which is based on respect, human dignity and freedom. So people ask me what I did for my daughter. But ask me what I didn’t do – I didn’t clip her wings. If fathers in religious societies … let their daughters be themselves, they can be great students like Malala and many other great powerful women in the world.

Original article by Ayesha Al Khoori

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Ziauddin Yousafzai, Malala’s father: I didn’t clip her wings