Inspiring Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai meets Obamas at White House

WASHINGTON – Reuters

U.S. President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughter Malia meet with Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai at the White House in Washington, Oct. 11. REUTERS photo

Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai did not win the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 11 but did get a big reception at the White House where she met with U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle.

The 16-year-old was shot in the head a year ago by the Taliban for campaigning for education for girls. She recovered after medical treatment in Britain, and had been considered an odds-on favorite to win the Nobel.

Instead it went to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. 

The White House said the Obamas thanked Yousafzai for her "inspiring and passionate work on behalf of girls education in Pakistan."

"The United States joins with the Pakistani people and so many around the world to celebrate Malala's courage and her determination to promote the right of all girls to attend school and realize their dreams," a White House statement said.

Malala said in a statement after the meeting that she was honored to meet with the president, who is a Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

"I thanked President Obama for the United States' work in supporting education in Pakistan and Afghanistan and for Syrian refugees. I also expressed my concerns that drone attacks are fueling terrorism. Innocent victims are killed in these acts, and they lead to resentment among the Pakistani people. If we refocus efforts on education it will make a big impact," she said.

She called for greater cooperation between the governments of the United States and Pakistan.

Malala's memoir "I am Malala" was published Oct. 8.

On Oct. 11 she spoke at a World Bank event and was scheduled to speak at a book event at the Sidwell Friends School, which Obama's daughters attend.