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Malala Yousafzai To Officially Receive Honorary Canadian Citizenship

Malala Yousafzai To Officially Receive Honorary Canadian Citizenship

Yousafzai, 19, is scheduled to address Canada's Parliament on April 12, when she will officially receive the honour.

The honorary citizenship was actually bestowed in 2014 but the ceremony was cancelled in light of the deadly Parliament Hill attack.

"I am honoured by Parliament's invitation and look forward to visiting this great nation of heroes."

— Malala Yousafzai

"Ms. Yousafzai’s courageous response to those who threatened her life, and her advocacy for girls’ education, has inspired many millions of people around the world. Her story is one of determination and dignity, and Canada is proud to call her an honorary citizen of this great country," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a news release Monday.

"The people of Canada are leading the world in their response to the refugee crisis," said Yousafzai in a statement. "I am honoured by Parliament's invitation and look forward to visiting this great nation of heroes."

Only five other people have received an honorary citizenship:

  • Swedish humanitarian Raoul Wallenberg, who saved thousands of Jews during the Holocaust
  • Former South African leader Nelson Mandela
  • The 14th Dalai Lama
  • Burmese politician and former political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi
  • Spiritual leader, the Aga Khan.
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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.