A young school boy who was shot four times by the Taliban whilst helping his fellow classmates in the 2014 Peshawar school massacre, has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at the Young Muslim Writers Awards, a Muslim Hands event held in association with the Yusuf Islam Foundation, on Saturday 9th December. Muhammad Ibrahim, a campaigner for education in developing countries, will deliver a speech and will also receive a Special Recognition Award on behalf of the survivors and those who were killed, to commemorate the 2014 Peshawar school massacre.
144 people, mostly children, were shot dead when gunmen open fired at Peshawar’s Army Public School. Muhammad Ibrahim was one of the survivors who was shot four times and was paralysed from the waist down when he was trying to help his friend. He was told by the doctors in Pakistan that he would not be able to walk again as there was no treatment for him. After campaigning and appealing for help on Pakistani TV, Ibrahim’s family gained the support of cricketer turned politician Imran Khan. With the support of property developer Malik Riaz Hussain, the family were able to raise funds to bring Muhammad Ibrahim to the UK for treatment at The Harley Street Clinic in London. Since his treatment, he is able to walk again and has settled in London where he also attends school.
Chairman of Muslim Hands, Syed Lakhte Hassanain said, “We are honoured to be able to present the Muslim Hands’ Special Recognition Award to Muhammad Ibrahim Khan. This young man is committed to making a change around the world by encouraging everyone to strive to get a good education as it is a right for all. With this award we remember the victims and all survivors of this attack on children who were simply exercising their right to receive an education.”
