Tag: Ahmad Nawaz

  • APS survivor takes charge as Oxford Union President; Shehbaz, Alvi congratulate

    APS survivor takes charge as Oxford Union President; Shehbaz, Alvi congratulate

    Ahmad Nawaz, survivor of the Pakistan Army Public School (APS) massacre, has assumed his responsibilities as President of the Oxford Union. He was selected for the post earlier this year. He announced the development in a tweet.

    “Immensely proud to have finally assumed my duties as the President of Oxford Union,” he wrote.

    “In my time as President, I look forward to having world leaders debate the most pressing issues, empowering young people through this platform & upholding freedom of speech,” added Ahmad.

    President Arif Alvi congratulated Ahmad Nawaz and said that the youth of Pakistan are his greatest hope. “We must register that despite all setbacks Pakistan will keep on shining and rising.”

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a tweet also congratulated Ahmad.

    “Ahmad Nawaz, who survived the horrific attack on APS Peshawar, has become President of the prestigious Oxford Union. He has set an example worthy of emulation by our youth. Pakistan is proud of you, Ahmad,” he wrote.

    Ahmad moved to Britain in 2014 after the worst militant attack on an Army Public School, killing 150 people. His younger brother was martyred in the attack.

    Ahmad escaped death by pretending to be dead when the terrorists were roaming the school building. Ahmad Nawaz was taken to Birmingham for treatment after being shot in the arm.

  • APS attack survivor Ahmad Nawaz becomes President of Oxford Union

    APS attack survivor Ahmad Nawaz becomes President of Oxford Union

    Ahmad Nawaz, a survivor of the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar attack, has secured the position of the President of “Oxford Union”, a famous debating society at Oxford University, one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The society was founded in 1823.

    He shared the announcement on his Twitter handle saying, “I am so extremely proud to announce that I have been Elected President of the @OxfordUnion. One of the world’s biggest & historical platforms!.”

    He also thanked his parents, friends, and team who have been supportive throughout his journey.

    He enrolled in Oxford University to study Philosophy and Theology in 2020.

    At the age of 14, he was shot in the arm in the massacre, and his brother, Haris was martyred in the APS attack. After hospitalisation for several days in Peshawar, he was taken to Birmingham for emergency surgery to save his arm.

    He is also a human rights activist to empower youth and ensure access to education for deprived children.

  • APS attack survivor Ahmad Nawaz is heading to Oxford University

    APS Peshawar attack survivor Ahmad Nawaz has announced that he has secured a place to study at the University of Oxford. Nawaz shared the happy news on social media with a picture of himself wearing an Oxford University jumper.

    He later shared that he will be studying Philosophy and Theology.

    Congratulatory messages poured in for Nawaz from across the world.

    The University of Oxford’s official account also congratulated the high achiever, calling him a “true inspiration”.

    Nawaz was only 14 when the Taliban attacked his school in Peshawar in 2014. He managed to save himself by pretending to be lying dead but he witnessed the horror of the massacre and his teacher get set on fire by terrorist militants. He suffered multiple injuries on his arm and was given special treatment at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Though Ahmad survived, he lost his brother in the deadly attack.

    Meanwhile, late last year, Nawaz had received the 2019 Legacy Award for the Diana Award and had attended a tea hosted by Prince William at Kensington Palace. He had become the first Pakistani to receive the Princess Diana Award for his anti-radicalization campaign.

  • APS attack survivor Ahmad Nawaz receives the ‘Legacy Award,’ has tea with Prince William

    APS attack survivor Ahmad Nawaz receives the ‘Legacy Award,’ has tea with Prince William

    APS attack survivor Ahmad Nawaz received the 2019 Legacy Award for the Diana Award on November 26. Prior to receiving the award from Lady Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, Ahmad attended a tea hosted by Prince William at Kensington Palace, where the Prince interacted with the recipients.

    Ahmad shared pictures from the event on his social media, adding that William was delighted to have visited Pakistan.

    Ahmed, now 18, has become the first Pakistani to receive the Princess Diana Award for his anti-radicalization campaign. He was only 14 when the Taliban attacked his school in Peshawar in 2014. He managed to save himself by pretending to be lying dead but he witnessed the horror of the massacre and his teacher get set on fire by terrorist militants. He suffered multiple injuries on his arm; was given special treatment at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Though Ahmad survived the attack, he lost his brother in the deadly attack.

    According to Kensington Palace, the 2019 Legacy Awards from the Diana Award “celebrate the achievements of 20 outstanding young leaders, visionaries and role models from across the world, aged 12-25, who have demonstrated their ability to inspire and mobilise new generations to serve their communities.”

    The Legacy Award is handed out every two years, and winners are only eligible if they have previously received a Diana Award within the two-year period. This year’s winners included young people from the UK, Pakistan, Canada, Tanzania, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria and India.

    Winners are determined by an independent judging panel, which included Baroness Lawrence, Holly Branson, and Alex Cruz.

    Ahmad in conversation with Prince William

    “This ceremony is about celebrating young people for their selfless contribution to society, their courage and bravery, and demonstrating to young people that we value them,” said Tessy Ojo, the Diana Award’s Chief Executive Officer in a statement on its official website.

    “We believe that valuing young people means investing in them so we are delighted that our Legacy Award recipients will have access to our unique development programme ensuring they continue to be positive trailblazers for their generation.”

    The inaugural winners were revealed in 2017, and Princes William and Harry attended the award ceremony. This year’s ceremony was attended by Earl Spencer, Diana’s younger brother.