World’s youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai got married this week.
Malala, who introduces herself as an advocate for girls’ education and women’s equality, UN Messenger of Peace, Nobel laureate 2014 and founder of Malala Fund, took to Twitter this week to announce her marriage to Asser Malik.
She wrote, “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.”
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
Malala had said recently that she felt marriage was not for her. She says she didn’t want to get married at all or at least until she is 35, but she changed her mind later. “My conversations with my friends, mentors and my now partner Asser helped me consider how I could have a relationship – a marriage – and remain true to my values of equality, fairness and integrity,” she told a British magazine.
Love Affair With Asser Malik
Malala says Asser was visiting friends at Oxford in the summer of 2018 when she crossed paths with him. She says Asser worked in cricket, so she immediately had a lot to discuss with him. She says that Asser liked her sense of humour and they became best friends. She says they found they have common values and enjoyed each other’s company.
She says they stood by each other in moments of happiness and disappointment and talked and listened to each other through their individual ups and downs. When words failed, she says, she sent him a link to their horoscope compatibility, hoping the stars could help reinforce our connection.
In Asser, she says, she found a best friend and companion. She says she still doesn’t have all the answers for the challenges facing women, but she believes that she can enjoy friendship, love and equality in marriage. “So, on Tuesday, 9 November, we celebrated our nikkah at home with our families and closest friends in Birmingham,” she was cited as saying the by the magazine.
How The Marriage Took Place
Malala says it was a small affair and group effort. Her mother and her friend got her wedding clothes from Lahore, Pakistan. Asser’s mother and sister gave her the jewellery she wore on her big day. Her father booked the food and decorations. Her assistants organised photographers and a makeup artist.
Her three best girlfriends from school and Oxford took off work and travelled to be there. She applied henna to her hands herself and discovered that she was the only one of her family and friends who had the talent! Asser spent several hours in the mall with her the day before the ceremony, buying his pink tie and pocket square and her sandals. Her little brothers even wore suits.