Inconceivable courage

THIS is with reference to the cover story “Inconceivable courage” by Mateen Ahmed (January 17, 2015). The article brought tears to my eyes. I am also a student of APS, Attock, and I was crying on this doomed day of December 16.

I feel the pain of those parents who lost their beloved children in this tragic incident. I thank Mateen Ahmed for penning down his extremely brave and unimaginable ordeal that showed us how courageous and resilient our youth is.

I would like to request the authorities to pay attention to schools in Pakistan where millions of children are studying; it is a matter of their lives so politicians should put aside their own interests and work to make this country safe! Pakistani leaders must work hard and be united in this crucial hour, only then “we shall rise and shine!”

Saleha Zainab Fatima, Attock

II

MATEEN Ahmed’s heart-touching narration of the attack on APS Peshawar, on December 16, shook the core of my heart. I was pained after reading the brutality of the terrorists; perhaps they should not be called terrorists because terrorists are still humans... those were the wildest beasts on earth.

My heart mourns as does the heart of every single person and I stand with the Peshawar victims. I’m happy to see the courage of APS students who are determined to fight for their right to study.

Long live our students, long live Pakistan!

Sana Ahmed Alvi, Karachi

III

THE cover story “Inconceivable courage” by Mateen Ahmed was the most courageous piece of writing I have ever read. The way Mateen told his ordeal on this terrible day, writing about his friends and teachers who are no more with him, is heart-wrenching. I salute Mateen Ahmed and all his friends who are alive and also who were martyred.

Alina Sani, Lahore

IV

I AM an avid fan of Young World and a mother of two. I was shocked, disgusted and revolted by the article on Army Public School Peshawar on the front page of the magazine.

It is not only unethical to make a child remember it as a write up and have it in print for a lifetime, but we also need our kids to get it out of their systems. Rather than etch it for a lifetime. I could not finish reading this article, let alone appreciate it.

Why make other kids go through such an article and share a memory which has had a very bad psychological effect on many kids who don’t want to go to school now?

Please create love for school not a scare of a lifetime.

Rumlah Selmi, Via email