Justin Bieber has befriended Malala Yousafzai
The singer tweets about his support of the Pakistani education activist
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Your support makes all the difference.It’s not been the best of years for Justin Bieber, but in what is perhaps a character makeover (or a bid to drum up a rare bit of positive publicity, depending on your cynicism), the singer has pledged his support for Malala Yousafzai.
Taking time out from gloating about an alleged fight from Orlando Bloom, today (7 June) Bieber shared a picture on Instagram of himself and the Pakistani activist during a Facetime session, alongside the caption: “Just got to FaceTime with Malala Yousafzai. She has such an incredible story. I can't wait to meet her in person and talk about how I can support her and the @malalafund. #love.”
To pay Bieber his dues, his charitable contributions are commendable – in July this year he won an award for his work with Make-A-Wish Foundation at the 2014 Young Hollywood Awards, having granted the wishes of 200 children living with life-threatening illnesses.
The “incredible story” Bieber refers to Yousafzai’s relentless campaigning to highlight the right of girls to be educated, regardless of what personal cost. In October 2012, when she was 15, a Taliban gunsman shot her while she travelling on a bus in Pakistan over her activism, nearly causing her death. She was released from hospital in January 2013 and has continued campaigning since.
Now 17-year-old, she is now based in the UK and runs the Malala Fund, which raises money and awareness for the importance of girls’ education.
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