Malala Yousafzai is a strong symbol in Pakistan as a severe public reaction has developed after this 14 year old was shot in the neck by the Taliban on her way home from school.
Ms. Yousafzai was seriously injured in the attack and remains unconscious while she recovers following an operation. Two other girls were also injured in the attack.
Private schools closed for the day in protest and students gathered to pray for her.
Yousafzai had come to public attention at the age of 11, when she publically criticised the Pakistani Taliban for its violent action against girls' schools in the area which was then under its control, and became the first recipient of Pakistan's National Peace Award for Youth.
The Taliban issued the following statement after Yousafzai's shooting. "She is a Western-minded girl. She always speaks against us. We will target anyone who speaks against the Taliban"