Malala Yousafzai to receive Canadian citizenship this month

Ms Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner, is set to become the youngest person ever to address the Canadian parliament

Malala Yousafza, speaks to  refugees  in Dadaab refugee camp, Kenya,  Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Source: AAP Images/ AP Photo/Khalil Senosi

Pakistani teenager and Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai will address the Canadian parliament and receive her honorary citizenship next week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced.

Canada awarded the honorary citizenship to Ms Yousafzai in 2014.

An advocate of women’s rights, Ms Yousafzai rose to global popularity after surviving a Taliban assassination attempt when she was just 15.

She has since picked up the baton to fight for the right of girls to acquire education and go to school.

In 2014, she became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Ms Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner, is set to become the youngest person ever to address the Canadian parliament
The Canadian House of Commons unanimously supported bestowing honorary citizenship upon Ms Yousafzai in the same year.

Ms Yousafzai will now receive the honours on April 12, 2017 during her Canada trip which will also see her addressing the nation’s parliament and meeting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“I am pleased to announce Malala Yousafzai’s upcoming visit to Canada” the Canadian prime minister said.
“Ms. Yousafzai’s courageous response to those who threatened her life, and her advocacy for girls’ education, has inspired many millions of people around the world."

"Her story is one of determination and dignity, and Canada is proud to call her an honorary citizen of this great country.

"I look forward to attending the upcoming ceremony and witnessing the historic moment when she becomes the youngest person to address the Parliament of Canada.”
Malala Yousafzai speaks during the Association of School and College Leaders annual conference at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Birmingham
Source: AAP Image/Joe Giddens/PA Wire
Ms Yousafzai is looking forwarding to the trip.

 “The people of Canada are leading the world in their response to the refugee crisis. I am honoured by Parliament's invitation and look forward to visiting this great nation of heroes.”

Ms Yousafzai is one of just six people to receive honorary Canadian citizenship. The others are Raoul Wallenberg, Nelson Mandela, the 14th Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi, and the Aga Khan.

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By Zain Nabi

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