I am Malala Questions Chapters 1-8
Summarize the stories Malala shares to give insight into the treatment of young women in her culture?
men can flirt but women can't women married off to other tribes (resolve feuds) sold into marriage if widowed family give permission to marry again
How did growing up in a school affect Malala?
started love for learning, placed advanced classes, felt everyone could have education
What is the code of Pashtunwali?
the way to give hospitality to all guests
Why don't Pashtuns say thank you?
they believe kind acts should be repaid with actions, not words
What does Malala's father do when she was first born?
told friends, threw dried fruits, coins, & sweets into her cradle & added her to the family tree
Discuss specific ways Malala's aunts were treated differently than the men in the family.
weren't educated, didn't eat eggs nor cream with tea, only ate wings & neck of chicken
What was one of Malala's favorite games, and what does this game reveal about Malala's culture?
She would play 'wedding' with her cousins. It revealed that the only goal for women in Pakistan is to get married.
For what was Malala's grandfather Rohul Amin famous?
Speeches
Describe the Taliban's treatment of the women of Afghanistan.
Under Taliban Rule Women couldn't laugh out loud They could not wear white as it "belonged to men" Women were not allowed to wear nail polish
What was the compromise made at the school to keep the elders happy?
The girls will enter the school through a special gateway separate from the boys
Explain the importance of the comment, "Malala is free as a bird."
The importance of this is that she's proud living in swat because she's able to attend school, openly express herself, and overall, her father protects her freedom & dreams
What was the negative consequence of Malala's father giving free places in his school to poor children?
The more financed children left the school because they didn't want to be seen learning with poor children
What did some mullahs say was the reason the earthquake occurred?
The mullahs explained that it was a warning from God/God was upset, and that it was also caused by women having more freedom & obscenity.
What are some examples of poverty in Malala's grandfather's village?
The water was toxic, no hospital nor electricity were available, kids froze to death in the winter & had no toys
How did Malala's mother and father address these incidents of Malala's stealing?
They made her apologize to Safina, parents returned the things, mom was upset, and her father bought almonds & put them in a glass dish to make her feel guilty
What happened when General Musharraf sent the army into the Federally Administered Tribal Areas?
They refused to fight against their own people
How did the J.u.D help after the earthquake?
They set up relief camps that were guarded by Kalashnikovs who had walkie-talkies) and helped with a high tech hospital.
How did some of the religious figures in Swat view Osama bin Laden, and why did they feel this way?
They thought of bin Laden as a hero because of 9/11 which they thought of as revenge against America because of what they had done to other countries
Describe Malala's relationship with her grandfather
They were very close because he had some good characteristics to him and every time she came over, he would sing to her
What does Malala ask God for in the letter she writes to him?
To give her strength and courage as well as to make her + her world perfect
How did Toor Pekai, Malala's mother, react to the earthquake? How did Ziauddin react?
Toor was terrified and began to recite verses repeatedly and expressed that she wanted to leave the house. Ziauddin did NOT want to leave because of his faith in God
How did General Musharraf change things for women?
He gave more rights to women. Female reporters were established. He abolished the law that women had to have 4 male witnesses to prove she was raped. He allowed the first woman governor of the state bank. Women could become pilots and become guards at Jinnah's tomb.
What surprising fact regarding Osama bin Laden were most people of Swat unaware?
He had stayed in a remote village within Swat for about a year.
What warning did Ziauddin give during a peace conference? What was the reaction of the audience? How did this make Ziauddin feel?
He said that war was near and that they had nowhere else to go. The audience thought of it more as a joke and began laughing. Ziauddin felt frustrated.
How did Malala's father respond when the official of schools expected a bribe in exchange for registering the school?
He was angry and tried fighting against it. He later joined the organization (Swat Association of Private Schools)
When Malala and her family visit their relatives in the village, her cousins make fun of her. Why?
Her cousins made fun of her because she dressed herself in modern, store-bought clothes, she didn't like walking barefoot, and she used slang and an accent.
When the initial partnership for the school ended, who became Malala's father's NEW partner?
Hidayatatullah
In 1989 when the book "The Satanic Verses" by Salman Rushdie caused such a stir in the Islamic world, how did Malala's father respond?
Malala's father responded with a question: 'Is Islam such a weak religion that it cannot tolerate a book written against it? Not my Islam!'
Who was Malala named after?
Malalai, a heroine in Afghanistan who was shot by the British enemy.
What is a "ghost school"?
When people beg for money to send their kids to school but end up keeping the money for the themselves
What did Malala's father receive from his father and then pass on to Malala?
education, awareness of other's rights
Why didn't Malala's grandfather like her name?
meant "grief stricken"
Why did Malala's mother stop going to school?
Because she thought there was no point in continuing just to end up doing housework like cooking, cleaning, and having children
Why were people optimistic after Benazir Bhutto was elected as the prime minister?
Because student organizations which had been banned under General Zia became very active once Bhutto, the first FEMALE prime minister came into office
Why did Malala contemplate her freedom growing up?
Because the Taliban thought women should not have equal rights
Why did Baba starts calling his son a falcon? And why did Malala's dad reject this name?
Because though falcons can fly higher than other birds, they're cruel.
Why doesn't Malala wear jewelry?
Because though it tempted her at first, she realized there was no point in losing her character over metal trinkets
What does Malala's father say is the root of all Pakistan's problems?
A lack of education
What were the positive and negative effects of Ziauddin becoming well known in Swat?
A positive effect was that the people listened Negative effects would be that he and SWAT became the main targets.
What is a mutfi? Why does the mufti say Ziauddin is running a haram school?
An Islamic scholar who has authority of Islamic law. He says it's haram because it's teaching boys AND girls.
What was ironic about President George W. Bush's support of Musharraf?
Bush became two-faced in that he was supporting the U.S while also supporting the Taliban for himself
How did General Zia's reign in Pakistan change things?
General Zia wanted to make Pakistan a proper Muslim country and started with the following: A women's evidence in court was valid only 1/2 of what a man's evidence would be. Women could not open bank accounts without a man Women's sports were banned
What did Ziauddin do to help victims of the earthquake?
He asked that the people donate anything like food, clothing, money, etc. He raised money from the global peace council and the school
What did Malala ask her father to do to help the scavenger children at rubbish mountain? Why was this request not a feasible solution to their situation?
Malala proposed that her father give free places in the school; This wasn't a good solution to the situation in that "breadwinners would go hungry"
Where was Malala born?
Mingora, Pakistan
Who was Malala's father's partner in opening the school?
Mohammad Naeem Khan
According to the book, what happened to the money the U.S. gave Pakistan to help in the campaign against al-Quaeda?
Musharraf used the money for himself to buy a mansion, etc
Around 1979-1980, why did the United States become involved in Pakistan's affairs?
Pakistan began to treat people horribly by the use of threats and terror as well as not giving women the right to do anything
How does Malala feel about the Pashtunwali code regarding revenge?
She fully disagrees with it
In what way was Malka-e-Noor a significant person in Malala's life?
She made Malala try harder in school & made her realize she wasn't always going to be best
How does Malala try to make up for disappointing her parents and win back the respect of her father?
She ran errands, joined public speaking competitions, and wanted to do what her dad did with her grandpa
How does Malala describe the American attacks in Pakistan?
She said they were violent and unnecessary. She felt betrayed and explained that it was horrendous to see innocent people dying.
Describe the two times that Malala stole.
She stole from a girl named Safina and the items were: bazaar jewelry and almonds
What are the two groups of Muslims? How are they similar and different? Which group is predominant? Which group do Malala and her family belong to?
Sunnis and Shias. They share the same beliefs & Holy Quran but disagree over the right person to lead their religion. Malala's family belongs to the Sunnis which are more dominant
What place does Malala consider the most beautiful?
Swat
Where did Malala live specifically?
Swat Valley
What did Malala learn from coming in 2nd to Moniba in the speech competition?
That even though she delivered her speech with heart, she learned that it's okay to gracefully lose, and most importantly that winning isn't everything
What was the connection between Pakistan and the Taliban?
The ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence)
Just as Malala changed her father's life, what happened in the world that changed Malala's?
The September 11th attacks which soon enough would bring change to Swat.
Why does Malala think her father became so generous?
dislike of Baba's frugality, didn't like how tight he was with money, wanted to give
How did the Pashtun views regarding hospitality cause a problem between Malala's father and his partner?
don't turn away family & friends, use money on guests (caused problems), Naeem left
Malala's father explained that the idea of jihad was so strongly encouraged at one point that textbooks were...?
donated to the United States