Malala Yousafzai Opens the Largest Public Library in Europe

Today, young Malala Yousafzai was given the honor to lead the opening of England’s Birmingham Library, the largest public library in all of Europe. Malala’s inspiring story captured the attention of the entire world. Last year in Pakistan, she was shot in the head because she fought for the right of girls to receive proper education.

After surviving the Taliban attack on her life, she continued to pursue her beliefs, particularly on the importance of education. She has used her fame to speak for her countrymen on the world stage. Malala’s courage and determination was praised by various world leaders. She was even commended by Ban Ki-moon, secretary general of the United Nations for her bravery and passion for learning. Various awards were also given to her like the 2011 National Youth Peace Prize and the 2012 Tipperary International Peace Award.

Malala ushers in Britain’s newest library

In a statement given by Malala, she said that she was honored to be part of the opening of the new Birmingham Library. For her, the books contain the power of education which in time can be used to change lives and shape the future. She also added that there is no greater weapon in the whole world but knowledge and there is no greater source of knowledge other than books.

A new and impressive library

Malala acknowledged the library’s potential to change the world. For libraries, size matters as well as content. This is what the new Birmingham Library has to boast. Not only is it huge and spacey, it is also home to approximately one million books. Some of the finest and rarest collections of books can be found in this humongous piece of architecture. Costing about £188 million, the new building is structurally magnificent and is really a sight to see. Not only does it contain a vast collection of reading materials, it also has a variety of television and film archives stretching to some of the finest collections that belongs to the British Film Institute. England’s Birmingham Library also became the new abode and the second largest Shakespeare collection the world has ever seen.

Malala’s continued fight

Malala Yousafzai was just an ordinary girl but she had extraordinary ambitions. She became the target of the Taliban extremists because of her campaign concerning the rights of girls to go to school in her home country. She led the campaign without fear and pursued to fight for this cause due to her love for education. Luckily, Malala survived the assassination attempt. After initial treatment in Pakistan, she was later on sent to the United Kingdom to be treated at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England.

Her recovery was not easy since a titanium plate had to be inserted inside her head. She also required a cochlear implant to allow her to hear. During her recovery, she was visited by Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan’s president to show his admiration and support for the young girl. Malala and her family have now settled in the United Kingdom.

Photo Credit: New Birmingham Library