News Desk
Islamabad: Pakistan’s youngest Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at Birmingham, the UK, the girls’ education activist announced in a tweet on her microblogging handler.
“Today marks a precious day in my life”, she wrote in a Twitter post. Asser and I tied the knot to be partners for life. We celebrated a small nikkah ceremony at home in Birmingham with our families,” she announced, asking people for prayers.
The 24-year-old wore a tea pink outfit paired with simple jewellery. Her husband is Asser Malik, the general manager of the PCB’s High Performance Centre. He wore a simple suit and matched his tie to her outfit.
“We are excited to walk together for the journey ahead,” Malala wrote.
Malala also posted photos from the ceremony in which she could be seen posing alongside her husband as well as her parents, Ziauddin Yousafzai and Toor Pekai Yousafzai.
Malala’s father Ziauddin Yousafzai also posted on Twitter about the news.
“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,” she added.
Malala also posted four photos from the nikkah ceremony in which she could be seen posing alongside her newlywed husband, Asser, as well as her parents, Ziauddin Yousafzai and Toor Pekai Yousafzai.
Congratulations pour in
Soon after Malala’s announcement, Twitterati started congratulating the newlywed bride.
PPP leader Aseefa Bhutto Zardari felicitated Malala and hoped that the newly-wedded couple finds joy together.
“May your journey be blessed at every turn. Sending you love & duas,” she said.
Filmmaker Jemima Goldsmith congratulated the couple.
Analyst Shama Junejo congratulated the noble laureate and said: “What beautiful news.”
Congratulations to the newlyweds!
Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy congratulated Malala and wished her and her life partner the best in everything!
Noted economist and progressive academics Dr Akmal Hussain congratulated Malala and Asser. “Wish you health, happiness and fulfilment together”, he posted in a WhatsApp group.
Former bureaucrat and writer Shamim Ahmed in his message said “heartiest congratulations to Malala and Asser. May the two of you have all the bliss of a happy married life.” He said Malala, you are an icon, and I am your admirer.
For her big day, Malala wore a melon-pink outfit adorned with gold embroidery. Her nikkah pictures were captured by her friend, Malin Fezehai, who is a photographer and visual journalist.
In an interview to Vogue in June, Malala spoke about valuing partnership over marriage. She discussed her friends all finding partners but not being sure what she wanted herself. “You know, on social media, everyone’s sharing their relationship stories, and you get worried…If you can trust someone or not, [and] how can you be sure.
“I still don’t understand why people have to get married. 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?” she had said. Well, it looks like Malala has found her partner and we couldn’t be more glad for her.