No one deserves Nobel Peace Prize more than Abdul Sattar Edhi, says Malala

E-Paper | March 03, 2026

LONDON: Pakistan's teenage Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai said she had nominated the country's celebrated humanitarian and philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi for Nobel Peace Prize, BBC Urdu reported on Saturday.

"As a Nobel Peace Prize winner, I hold the right to nominate people for the prize and I have nominated Abdul Sattar Edhi," said Malala.

Edhi, who breathed his last on Friday in Karachi was Pakistan's greatest humanitarian, his Edhi foundation ran dozens of free hospitals, dispensaries, orphanages, nursing homes, kitchens, shelters for old people and rehabilitation centres for drug addicts all over the country.

Malala, who received the peace prize in 2014, maintained that one must remember that even the coveted Nobel Prize can not be a befitting tribute to Edhi's services for humanity.

"If we wish to pay tribute to Edhi, it is our responsibility to leave a legacy of service to humanity and if we want to pay tribute to him, it is our responsibility to follow his footsteps," said Malala.

Malala added that she could never meet the great philanthropist but feels proud and honoured that she had the opportunity to talk to Edhi on phone a number of times.

Also Read: Obituary: Lifelong mission of mercy

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desiguy

Jul 09, 2016 08:53pm

Rightly said

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mullas

Jul 09, 2016 08:58pm

he deserves it ..

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Rk singh

Jul 09, 2016 08:56pm

She is right

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Objective View

Jul 09, 2016 08:57pm

Mr Prime Minister, why not pay a fitting tribute to Edhi and using a small amount of the fortune you have amassed to match the number of ambulances, homes, and Centres he built. Go on I dare you to do something decent for once.

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jai hind

Jul 09, 2016 09:01pm

I salute Edhi. true inspiration and second to none.

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Indian_Kashmiri

Jul 09, 2016 09:06pm

I support

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Dr.Muhammad Shoaib

Jul 09, 2016 09:05pm

Noble prize is not a solution of our problems,We need people like Edhi who live with in Pakistan & help other Pakistanis.Not just like running away & living in other countries.

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imran khan

Jul 09, 2016 09:04pm

i couldnt just agree more with Malala. hats off to you.

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lafanga

Jul 09, 2016 09:07pm

You could have easily said this before accepting yours. Talk is cheap.

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syed wasim haider

Jul 09, 2016 09:08pm

Very true.His work in a very very dangerous and difficult situations must be appreciated.

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Umar Khitab

Jul 09, 2016 09:19pm

Edhi was way above the noble peace prize winners including Mr. Obama or Ms. Yusufzai. Mr. Edhi achieved peace and spread peace through his philosophy, words and actions. If he was to receive the noble peace prize award he would have returned. He lived a life which almost all individuals can vouch for was a noble life. He needs no nomination from no one...

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Houlbelat

Jul 09, 2016 09:21pm

Edhi Sb. really deserved Nobel peace prize. From the services to humanity point of view, he is much ahead of others, but being from a very humble back-ground, he remained superseded. Although highly revered but still, Mother Teresa was not even a remote match to him. Edhi Sb., had loads of every quality that leads to Nobel. But, as he once said, the love in the hearts of people that he had, was much bigger reward than Nobel!

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Faisal

Jul 09, 2016 09:20pm

Masala should deny and return her own noble prize if Edhi does not get one as well, to make a point that award doesn't always necessarily equal contribution. I hope when she ages, she contributed as must as Edhi and lives just as good life as he did.

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Ako

Jul 09, 2016 09:38pm

she is maturing to be a good politician

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Umer

Jul 09, 2016 09:46pm

some people will hate her for this as well

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AKB

Jul 09, 2016 09:52pm

Eidi is immortal and does not need a Noble Prize for recognition of his services to the humanity.

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AMK

Jul 09, 2016 09:53pm

His stature is far bigger than any prize including Nobel. The love and respect he earned by saving and improving millions of lives through his charitable work; are rewarding enough for him.

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Disgusted

Jul 09, 2016 09:59pm

The Nobel Prize cannot be awarded posthumously.

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Mohammad Khan USA

Jul 09, 2016 10:02pm

Malalah you are wrong Noble people don't take the Nobel Prize instead they give Edhi Saheb was an Institution of Philanthropy he was the greatest human being ever existed on this planet, history does not show any person like Edhi sahab ever existed the Government of Pakistan should constitute Abdul Sattar Edhi Prize for humanitarian services

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hassan

Jul 09, 2016 10:02pm

I cannot think of anyone who deserves the Nobel prize more than Edhi. Well done, Malala.

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Jul 09, 2016 10:05pm

bid to late, why did she not do it before!? Edhi saab was alive

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Shahid Ali

Jul 09, 2016 10:09pm

Thanks , if you do that

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Umer Salahuddin

Jul 09, 2016 10:11pm

The right person for Nobel prize is of course Abdul Sattar Edhi for his services to the humanity regardless of religion, status, caste, age without any thing in return for these services.

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TZaman

Jul 09, 2016 10:17pm

Respected Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi, pride of Pakistan is beyond Nobel prize. If he had won it would not have effected him a bit, other than the prize money being donated to his trust.

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Harmony-1©

Jul 09, 2016 10:16pm

Beautiful mature words of wisdom from Malala.

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real zak

Jul 09, 2016 10:16pm

A real candidate for Nobel Prize win, who did more than mother Teresa but Edhi himself was a prize for humanity.

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Haider

Jul 09, 2016 10:41pm

Molana Edhi served humanity without any consideration of color or creed. I would request our government and our UN envoy to nominate this day the July 08th, as the "World Humanity Day" in memory of the greatest person of our times.

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Cavalier

Jul 09, 2016 10:42pm

No doubt. Mr edhi by far lead the race of being humane.

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excalibur

Jul 09, 2016 10:46pm

Really ? Musharraf had already recommended him for the Nobel when he was the President

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Narasimhan

Jul 09, 2016 10:51pm

I dont know about this gentleman but a good man in bad country

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Shehryar

Jul 09, 2016 11:00pm

I'm fairly certain that Nobel prizes cannot be awarded posthumously.

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azmat

Jul 09, 2016 11:02pm

Agreed Malala and we are proud of you

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khurram khan

Jul 09, 2016 11:21pm

Great gesture Malala.

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Jul 09, 2016 11:32pm

THANKS MALALA

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F Khan

Jul 10, 2016 12:01am

Agree 100%

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Badar

Jul 10, 2016 12:03am

Edhi stood taller than ALL Peace Nobel Prize winners combined. It might be almost impossible to match 70 years long service to humanity in all corners of globe.

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Ali Baloch

Jul 10, 2016 12:03am

great malala

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RELUCTANT LIBRAL

Jul 10, 2016 12:17am

Malala Thank you for being kind. You are our proud!

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Jul 10, 2016 12:31am

Yes malala. He is equally deserving if not more (if someone thinks so). But problem is that he has done services for Pakistanis only and so people outside Pakistan can't think of his services in real value. He and his wife dedicated 65 years of their life fully for Pakistanis. Their will be only few in the world who can dare to match him for sacrifices in own life.

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Saad Razzaq

Jul 10, 2016 12:30am

Lots of respect for this brave girl. She is not self obsessed and have a sane mind to be considerate about everyone. Edhi sb was a legend

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Exlim

Jul 10, 2016 12:59am

Well said. Glad to see her acknowledge another deserving person from Pakistan.

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Razi

Jul 10, 2016 01:04am

Good gesture Malala!

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Zak

Jul 10, 2016 01:16am

Well said Malala. Now you are maturing.

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Faisal

Jul 10, 2016 01:39am

Pakistan is a peaceful country in the world which has elders like Edhi and childern like Malala Allha may bless Pakistan

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Jul 10, 2016 01:58am

Nobel prize is awarded only to dignatries who are alive! Its not bestowed post-humous, our young laureate should know about it.

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Mesotwisty

Jul 10, 2016 02:42am

Edhi sahab is far beyond worldly treasures like the Nobel prize. A thousand nobel prizes pale in comparison to the services of this great man.

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ukz

Jul 10, 2016 02:53am

If this noble prize is meant for the persons like malala and obama, such an award dont deserve to be associated with THE GREAT EIDHI SAHAB. He deserves a million times more prestigious award for what he did for humanity. And that award is waiting for him in the afterlife. Sir! U will be missed till the last breath of my life.

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Abdulla Hussain

Jul 10, 2016 02:54am

I think Nobel Peace Prize is not so important for a dedicated person like Abdul Sattar Edhi. He has already won the the best of prizes both in this world & hereafter. In my opinion if Nobel Prize committee ever decides to confer such prize to Edhi, his family should politely refuse the offer.

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Waqar

Jul 10, 2016 02:57am

In Edhi's sahib's own words, "The real Nobel Prize is just for once... This nation gives me the Nobel Prize every year. So what more could I ask for than my people's love, which is the biggest prize in itself.

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Ali

Jul 10, 2016 03:06am

Someone please answer my question: If one person could render such mountains of service to millions of people with mere donations, why can't the government do it with its tax revenues that are much larger in amount? I also heard that Edhi used to tell his donors they could demand a refund if they weren't satisfied by his organization's service. Edhi is not just a name. It is an unforgettable legend.

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Aatir ehrar

Jul 10, 2016 03:28am

Mr.Edhi deserve way more than these political and biased prizes.A true champion May he rest in peace and go to Jannat AMEEN.

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Ben

Jul 10, 2016 03:49am

With all due respect, Malala is not well informed of who this individual was, how he ran his affairs, and how he approached issues and help fixed them. No worldly award is required or necessary for Edhi. We are shedding tears not only from our eyes but our hearts today for this individual, and we should all learn from his life and try to do our part to make this world a better place.

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Justwasif

Jul 10, 2016 04:08am

Yes, we have same thinking, its great if you raise the voice for him, although he (Edhi) does not require any recommendations or any recognization, but it will give new hights to noble prize if his name links to noble prize. Thanks JustWasif

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zahid

Jul 10, 2016 04:10am

Thank you Malala. You make me proud.

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Justwasif

Jul 10, 2016 04:09am

It will give new hights and more respect to noble prize if it links with Edhi's name.

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Fazal Karim

Jul 10, 2016 04:34am

I am worried about Karachi without Edhi.

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ghumman saqib

Jul 10, 2016 05:09am

deserving and having are two different issues nd ll depends on where the interests of groups are!!!

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daanish

Jul 10, 2016 05:25am

You go Girl. well said.

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Pakiboy101

Jul 10, 2016 06:18am

Thanks Malala, we truly need to support Edhi and get the recognition he so deserves.

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an expatriate

Jul 10, 2016 06:21am

Nice of Malala to nominate Abdul Sattar Edhi, but he cannot be awarded the Noble Peace Prize as per award policy- no award for dead person. Sad but true.

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Abrar

Jul 10, 2016 06:28am

Why running after foreign awards?Why can't Pakistan give it's best award to this humanitarian?I don't think he did all this for a noble prize.

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Khurram Jadoon

Jul 10, 2016 06:33am

Ok - dedicate yours to Edhi then.

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Malalafan

Jul 10, 2016 06:57am

Malala is the greatest living Pakistani and considering her generosity she can start with donating half a million pound to end I foundation

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Rafah

Jul 10, 2016 07:12am

Nobel prize is not awarded posthumously.

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Hussain

Jul 10, 2016 07:15am

If you have received a nobel prize, then it is better that this legend does not receive it. If you really believed in what you are saying now, you would have mentioned this while receiving the award

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sen

Jul 10, 2016 07:13am

A great man of Indian sub-continent not for Pakistanis but for Indians and also World can be compared with mother Teresa,Gandhi,who excelled in their cause. May his soul rest in peace

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AMJAD

Jul 10, 2016 07:15am

Should of said it when you 1st got it. This is nothing but a political statement. Have aome reapect for this man. He was no less than an angel on earth.

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Kerala

Jul 10, 2016 07:59am

Agreed sister.

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Azmeen

Jul 10, 2016 08:07am

Edhi was a great human being. He dedicated his entire life for serving the humanity regardless the religion & nationality, he deserves Nobel Peace Prize the most.

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Tamza

Jul 10, 2016 08:17am

Indeed he did - and we wonder why you got one when you did - perhaps 20 years later would make sense.

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Tanvir

Jul 10, 2016 08:32am

It was global politics that awarded Malala the noble prize. Most of the noble peace prices have been the result of global politicking. Even Obama won a peace prize before bringing any peace to any nation on Earth. Afghanistan and Iraq are still burning. Syria and Libya were put on fire during his watch! Let's not forget the killing of innocents on ground by drones - his prime tool of choice to Kill innocents being in the wrong place - far from attacking his country.

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Silajit

Jul 10, 2016 08:37am

Unfortunately Nobel does not do posthumous awards.

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Serious Senior

Jul 10, 2016 08:48am

Well done Malala...

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s.khan

Jul 10, 2016 08:59am

Nobel prize is not awarded posthumously. He was a noble man, lived a noble life and will continue to inspire many to serve human beings selflessly. This is more than the Nobel prize.

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Nafis

Jul 10, 2016 09:16am

You should have said this at the time you took noble prize

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Mumbai Indian

Jul 10, 2016 09:17am

Very true. Was not aware of such great humanitarian work being done in Pakistan. Very inspiring. Pakistan should applaudsuch soldiers lot more.

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Ajay Ladkani

Jul 10, 2016 10:09am

I will again say that Edhi doesn't need Nobel Prize which in most of cases are biased and manupulated. Gandhi, Edhi symbolize Peace and humanity and Nobel prize is too small for them

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FAN

Jul 10, 2016 10:14am

Malala thank you for being kind. You are also our pride!

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Jul 10, 2016 10:35am

Malala should giv her award to Edhi Foundations

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Indian

Jul 10, 2016 10:43am

No a Nobel winner does not have the right to nominate another for this award. You are mistaken

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ahmed

Jul 10, 2016 10:57am

People like Edhi and Malala are the pride of Pakistan. Brave, noble-hearted people.

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Jul 10, 2016 11:03am

@Indian According to the statutes of the Nobel Foundation, a nomination is considered valid if it is submitted by a person who falls within one of the following categories: • Members of national assemblies and governments of states • Members of international courts • University rectors; professors of social sciences, history, philosophy, law and theology; directors of peace research institutes and foreign policy institutes • Persons who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize • Board members of organizations that have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize • Active and former members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee; (proposals by members of the Committee to be submitted no later than at the first meeting of the Committee after February 1) • Former advisers to the Norwegian Nobel Committee ======================================================= As per the above, she can nominate. Thanks

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Sultan Pervez

Jul 10, 2016 11:22am

Good bye and God bless the one who lived for others. There must be more around who do not want to show themselves in the open but I'm sure you were unique and a very special guy. I feel strongly that having read,seen and heard so much about your noble work in the cause of humanity thousands more must have awakened to continue the task you had started. You were a truely holy man.May God bless you and reward you what we couldn't in this world. We will remember you your excellency.

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Muhammad Iqbal

Jul 10, 2016 11:24am

In my opinion posthumous award to great Edhi is of no use. The world should have honoured him in life time. It will now be a tissue paper if awarded.

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Anil

Jul 10, 2016 11:34am

@lafanga she earned it!! She got shot in the head!! Try speaking against Taliban at their face and face the music.Talk is cheap!! That holds true for your troll.

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Noman Ahmad

Jul 10, 2016 04:28pm

Respected Abdul Satter Edhi don't need any noba prize. He was a saint above the Nobel prize. To get a noble prize now a days specially for pakistani you should have the quality of trator and Mr edhi does not hold that quality. You can imagine that he refused to take foreign charity from international organisations. He was a true Pakistani and believed on Pakistani people. He was,is and will remain pride of Pakistan. He is a soft image of Pakistan. He have not made any money in his life.

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kk iftikhari

Jul 11, 2016 03:25am

Courageous girl Malala proud of you

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Paxton Roy

Jul 11, 2016 03:38am

Malala: There in fact others just as deserving as the Late Mr. Edhi.

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Mohammed Ibrahim

Jul 11, 2016 08:46am

There are three types of services one can ever do: 1. Physical services which one can to his/her mother,father,wife, husband or 1st relations 2. Moneterily to relatives, friends & neighbors, 3. Vocally to all human kinds, But Abdul Sattar Edhi proved he could do physical services to whole mankind.If honored with Nobel Prize will honor equally to Nobel Prize.God Bless Him in Heaven.

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