Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai hails support of President Sheikh Khalifa

Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani education activist has hailed the support of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan during her ordeal. "I was lucky to have the support of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan," she told Emirates News Agency, (WAM) in a statement, also praising Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood for her keenness on various women's issues in all aspects. Malala, after visiting Al Ru'yah Centre, which is affiliated with the General Women's Union (GWU), hailed the important and effective role of the GWU in the resolution of women issues and boosting their role in the society. She also expressed her admiration by the educational level of the Emirati women, wishing that she could also contribute her role to spreading education in her country. On her part, Reem Abdullah Eisa Al Falasi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood welcomed the Malala and briefed her on some programmes of the Union. Malala expressed her admiration for the objectives and the achievements of Al Ru'ya Centre, thanks to the directives of Sheikh Fatima bint Mubarak, whom she considered as a role model and a symbol of supporting the U.A.E. women in particular and around the world in general. During her meeting with Sheika Fatima, Malala said that Sheikha Fatima underscored the importance of education to empower women towards a better future in consistence with the tolerant Islamic teachings away from extremism, fanaticism and introversion which have affected Islamic communities, pointing out that women need more support and assistance to realise what they aspire for being half of the society and man's partner in work and effort for building a coherent, stable family serving as a backbone and strength of the homeland. The Pakistani activist also expressed her thanks to the U.A.E. and His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces for supporting her in her distress, in addition to facilitating her medical treatment in London.