MALALA AND AITIAZ

On 6 January 2014 class IX student, Aitiaz Hussain, saw a suspicious looking man approach his school gate. Many of his schoolmates were also entering the compound. He asked the man to stop. He didn’t’. Aitiaz threw a stone at him. The man started running towards the school.

Chubby Aitiaz gave chase, caught up with the man and tried to grapple with him. The man let off a hidden bomb tied round his waist. The two of them died on the spot, but no other school kids were hurt in any way.

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for another.” Did Aitiaz know what he was doing and the consequences of it? Probably he did. So many suicide bombers are blowing up schools in his home country of Pakistan. Aitiaz did what he did fully aware that he was risking his life to save his schoolmates and his school.

It is a pity Pakistan has lost Malala Yousafzai to the UK. Hopefully it is only a time-bound loss and she will return to her home one day to help save her country. They have lost Aitiaz Hassain forever. Hopefully he has saved the lives of several other kids who have the same courage, quick thinking and love for fellowmen that he had. 

May God reward him in His kingdom, and may many Malalas and Aitiazes bloom in our neighbouring country – and in our own!