Mira Sabapathy: "He Named Me Malala" Movie Night

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When I think of Malala Yousufzai, the first words that come to my mind are strong, empowering, and inspiring. At such a young age, Yousufzai became an activist for girls’ education, as well as a Nobel Peace Prize winner. She has inspired numerous girls to fight for their education and to not be afraid of the struggles that may lie in front of them. In the documentary ‘He Named Me Malala’, director Davis Guggenheim captured an exclusive view inside the Yousufzai household and of her determination to fight for girls’ education.

Along with myself, two other board members of KCIYA were compelled to plan an event where Malala’s documentary was shown, to motivate members of the community to fight for a change. The event was planned for the evening of Friday, September 13. When all the other members arrived, we began with the guidelines of civil discourse and began streaming the documentary while chowing down on Spin! Pizza. After the movie was completed, we dove into the discussion questions, ranging from Malala’s fame to her religious identity. Overall, the event inspired me to fight for a cause I was passionate about and to appreciate my ability to maintain a good education, for many girls in our world today aren’t as fortunate to receive one.

Malala’s dedication to her faith was another aspect of her life that inspired me. Malala states that “Islam teaches us humanity, equality, and forgiveness.” She opposed the idea the Taliban presented of Islam, which undermined people of the Islamic identity. At Yousufzai’s speech to the UN, she stated “They think that God is a tiny, little conservative being who would send girls to hell just because of going to school. The terrorists are misusing the name of Islam and Pashtun society for their own personal benefits.” She stands up for people of Islamic faith by standing up against the Taliban. Her valiant acts represented her courage and bravery in times of trouble.

All in all, Malala Yousufzai embodies strength based off her actions and words. From the documentary, I was fortunate to gain a more intimate look into her life, as well as her story. As a board member, I have gained more respect for Malala in regards to being an influential leader of Islamic faith for the next generation. If you’re looking for an inspiring documentary about fighting for a change, and you want to get an exclusive look into life as Malala Yousufzai, this is for you!

 Mira Sabapathy is a junior and Blue Valley West High School. She has been a member of KCIYA for one year. She loves to serve in the community and be a helping hand to others!

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