Ziauddin Yousafzai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ziauddin Yousafzai
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Ziauddin Yousafzai, 2023
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| Born | 20 April 1969 Shangla, KPK, Pakistan
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| Alma mater | Jahanzeb College |
| Occupation | Education activist Co-founder and Board Member of Malala Fund |
| Political party | Awami National Party |
| Spouse(s) | Tor Pekai Yousafzai |
| Children | 3, including Malala |
Ziauddin Yousafzai (Urdu: ضیاء الدین یوسفزئی; Pashto: ضیاالدین یوسفزی; born 20 April 1969) is a teacher and activist from Pakistan. He is widely known as the father of Malala Yousafzai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Ziauddin Yousafzai is famous for speaking out. He protested against groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan. These groups did not want girls to go to school, especially in Pakistan.
Today, he helps lead the Malala Fund. This organization works to make sure all girls can get an education. He also wrote a book called Let Her Fly in 2018.
Contents
About Ziauddin Yousafzai
Early Life and Family
Ziauddin Yousafzai was born in 1969. His family was Pashtun and lived in a place called Shangla. His father, Rohul Amin Yousafzai, was a teacher. He taught theology at a school and was also an imam at the local mosque.
Ziauddin's father was a big inspiration to him. Even though Ziauddin had a stutter when he was young, he worked hard. He wanted to learn and speak clearly.
Education and College
Ziauddin Yousafzai went to Jahanzeb College in Swat, Pakistan. While he was there, he became a leader in a student group. This group was called the Pashtun Students Federation (PSF). It was part of a political party called the Awami National Party (ANP). This party wanted fair rights for Pashtun people.
Ziauddin studied hard and earned a Master's degree in English from Jahanzeb College.
Starting Schools
After college, Ziauddin became a teacher himself. He worked with his friend Naeem Khan. Together, they started a group of private schools. These schools were affordable for many families. They named them the Khushal Public School. This name honored a famous Pashtun poet, Khushal Khan Khattak.
Ziauddin was also a member of the Rotary Club of Swat. He was chosen as the Vice President of the Swat Association of Private Schools. He believed strongly in education for everyone.
Family Life
Ziauddin Yousafzai is married to Toor Pekai. They have three children. Their daughter is Malala, and their two sons are Khushal and Atal. Before Malala, they had another child who was stillborn.
Ziauddin often appears in interviews with Malala. He can speak English, Urdu, and Pashto very well.
His Mission for Education
Standing Up for Girls
Ziauddin Yousafzai believes that all children should go to school. When his daughter Malala was young, she learned that girls in their area were often stopped from going to school. Instead, they were expected to stay home and learn cooking.
Ziauddin encouraged Malala to speak up. He taught her to stand up for her right to learn. His schools were always open to girls. He wanted every woman to have the chance to succeed. He did not want them to be unable to read or write, like many women in Pakistan.
Speaking Out
Ziauddin has shared his message with many people. He gave a speech for TED Talk. In this speech, he explained why he supports his daughter. He wants her to speak for women's rights.
He remembered how his own sisters could not go to school. He never saw their names written down. This made him want to fight for education for all girls.
Awards and Recognition
On June 11, 2015, Ziauddin Yousafzai received a special award. It was an honorary doctorate of law from Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada. This award recognized his efforts for peace. It also honored his work for girls' education in Pakistan and around the world.
In 2017, he and his daughter Malala received another honorary doctorate. This one was from the University of Ottawa.
