I Am Malala

I Am Malala Glossary

devote

to dedicate one's life to someone or something

Ignorance

the state of being unaware or lacking knowledge

honorable

ethical and right-minded

sacred

connected with God

construct

to build

terrorist

a person who initiates scare-mongering in order to achieve political or religious aims

recite

to repeat something until it is memorized

jihad

Muslim call to fight or struggle against nonbelievers

Taliban

militant Islamic fundamentalist group that took power in Afghanistan and subsequently moved into areas of Pakistan, notably Swat Valley

Sharia Law

body of law based on the codes of Islam

pashtunwali

the ethical code followed by Pashtun people

purdah

the practice of women shielding themselves from the eyes of men by staying indoors or wearing clothing to cover themselves entirely

mufti

Islamic scholar

Pashtun

an ethnic group that spans the borders of Afghanistan and Pakistan

blasphemous

against God or sacred things

burqa

female clothing garment that entirely covers the body and face, encouraged by the Taliban

mosque

an Islamic place of worship

IDPs

Internally Displaced Persons; people who have been forced from their home but remain within their country

rickshaw

a three-wheeled vehicle resembling a bicycle with a seat behind the driver for passengers

suicide bomber

a terrorist who carries out a bomb attack, knowing that he or she will be killed in the explosion