RAWALPINDI: The world’s youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai on Tuesday announced her marriage to Asser Malik, making her Internet followers flood her with congratulatory messages.
Yousafzai, who survived a bid on her life in 2012 by a Taliban gunman in her native town of Swat, shared the pictures of the event across her official social media accounts, saying: “Today marks a precious day in my life. Asser and I tied the knot to be partners for life. We celebrated a small nikkah ceremony at home in Birmingham with our families.”
Today marks a precious day in my life.
Asser and I tied the knot to be partners for life. We celebrated a small nikkah ceremony at home in Birmingham with our families. Please send us your prayers. We are excited to walk together for the journey ahead.
: @malinfezehai pic.twitter.com/SNRgm3ufWP— Malala (@Malala) November 9, 2021
Her announcement on Twitter and Instagram collectively amassed over 650,000 likes, with many celebrities and notable names sending her best wishes on her happy news.
“Congratulations, Malala and Asser,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote under Yousafzai’s announcement. “Sophie and I hope you enjoyed your special day – we’re wishing you a lifetime of happiness together.”
Congratulations, Malala and Asser! Sophie and I hope you enjoyed your special day - we’re wishing you a lifetime of happiness together.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 9, 2021
Film producer Jemima Khan replied to the announcement with “Congratulations and mashallah x.”
Congratulations and mashallah x
— Jemima Goldsmith (@Jemima_Khan) November 9, 2021
Chelsea Clinton, former first daughter of the United States, replied to Yousafzai’s Tweet with “Congratulations Malala and Asser!”
Congratulations Malala and Asser!
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) November 9, 2021
Chief Executive Officer of Apple Tim Cook joined the chorus of well wishes Tweeting: “Congratulations to you and Asser! Wishing you all the best as you begin your new life together.”
Congratulations to you and Asser! Wishing you all the best as you begin your new life together.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) November 10, 2021
Asim Saleem Bajwa, a retired Pakistani three-star general, also congratulated the newlyweds, writing: “Bohat Mubarak to you and your entire family. Prayers for all the happiness in life.”
Bohat Mubarak to you and your entire family. Prayers for all the happiness in life
— Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimSBajwa) November 9, 2021
On Instagram, fellow activist Greta Thunberg wrote “congratulations” under Malala’s post with three heart emojis.
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari commented: “Congratulations! May you both find every joy together, and may your journey be blessed at every turn. Sending you love & duas.”
Global celebrities Reese Witherspoon, Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra along with several Pakistani stars like Meesha Shafi, Aima Baig and Mira Sethi commented under the photo on Instagram.
“Congratulations on this wonderful moment,” wrote Witherspoon, who starred in Legally Blonde and Big Little Lies.
“Buhat buhat Mubarik,” wrote singer and actor Meesha Shafi.
Melinda Gates wrote “so happy for you both” in her comment under the photo.
Editor in chief of British Vogue Edward Enninful wrote, “Congratulations sweet Malala.”
Earlier in June, Yousafzai’s cover story for Vogue went viral when the Nobel laureate’s quotes on marriage received massive backlash in Pakistan.
Yousafzai spoke about marriage and her uncertainty about it all, offering her own thoughts about partnership being perhaps more important than marriage.
“I still don’t understand why people have to get married,” she told the interviewer. “If you want to have a person in your life, why do you have to sign marriage papers, why can’t it just be a partnership?”
The backlash was instant. Interestingly, Yousafzai said in her social media announcement that she and Malik were “partners for life.”
