Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai’s portrait has been unveiled at Oxford University’s Lady Margaret Hall, with the artwork painted by portrait artist Isabella Watling. The unveiling marked Malala’s contributions to education and equality, while also standing out as a proud moment for Pakistan.
Malala has become only the second Pakistani woman, after former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, to have a portrait displayed at Oxford’s Lady Margaret Hall.
The ceremony drew nearly 200 attendees, including Oxford alumni, academics, and Malala’s family members. Her father Ziauddin Yousafzai, mother, Toor Pekai Yousafzai, brother, Khushal Khan Yousafzai, and her husband Asser Malik attended the event.
Malala calls Benazir Bhutto an inspiration
Speaking to Geo News, Malala said Benazir Bhutto remained a major inspiration for her. She added that it was an honour for her portrait to be placed in the same hall where Benazir’s portrait is displayed.
Malala said Benazir inspired women in Pakistan and around the world, and she expressed deep admiration for the late leader.
Malala urges solidarity with Afghan girls
During the event, Malala also spoke about Afghanistan’s ban on girls’ education. She described the situation as extremely dangerous and said the Taliban were stripping girls of their fundamental right to education.
She stressed that denying education goes against Islam and urged Muslim countries to condemn what she called the Taliban’s un-Islamic actions. Malala added that Afghan girls continue to pursue learning through secret schools and online education, and she called on Pakistanis to show solidarity with Afghans.
Malala graduated from Oxford in 2020 after studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics. She also supports the Oxford Pakistan Programme, which provides scholarships and academic links between Oxford and Pakistan.
