ABU DHABI: General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received here on Monday Malala Yousufzai, the brave girl who was shot in 2012 in the head for advocating the cause of girls’ education in Swat.

Malala, along with members of her family, had stopped over in Abu Dhabi on way to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah and to thank the UAE government and particularly Shaikh Mohammad for his support during her treatment.

The United Arab Emirates had sent a medical team and an air ambulance to transfer Malala from Pakistan to the UK.

Shaikh Mohammad praised Malala’s determination to overcome difficulties and continue to carry forward her noble message even when she was in hospital.

He said it was the duty of everyone to stand by Malala in her mission of promoting the principles of love and peace.

Malala stood with courage against extremists who prevented girls from going to school. “Malala works to promote the values of forgiveness and tolerance,” Shaikh Mohammad said.—Courtesy Gulf News