Malala Yousafzai, one of the strongest Nobel Peace Prize contenders, was declared winner of the prestigious EU Sakharov Human Rights Prize 2013 for her progressive thoughts. But a Pakistani Taliban thought otherwise.

Yousafzai, a teenage education activist, was awarded the esteemed Sakharov Prize for "freedom of thought" by the European Parliament. She was honored with a cash prize of about AUD 68,700.

At 16, she is one of the favorite and the youngest contenders among the Nobel Peace Prize nominees. Her progressive thinking and strenuous efforts for the education rights of girls have brought her well-deserving recognition and honor. The girl was once targeted by a Taliban assassin, when he shot her in the head while traveling in a truck. She was shot in her way back from school. She bravely survived the attempt and let nothing come her way to stop her in her noble endeavor.

She had suffered from intense injuries as the bullet had exited her skull and they had to operate her. It took time to recuperate from the injuries affecting her sight and voice. The entire world believes in her unbelievable strength and zeal to move ahead.

While the world is expecting the young girl to be declared the winner of the most prestigious Nobel Peace Prize, the Pakistani Taliban tries to pull her spirits down in his vain attempts claiming that she has done "nothing" to deserve the prize. "She has done nothing. The enemies of Islam are awarding her because she has left Islam and has become secular," said Shahidullah Shahid, the spokesman of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, to AFP.

Antagonists of Yousafzai movement believed that she is being rewarded for the works that are motivated against Islam beliefs. The poor girl, who now lives in Birmingham, has been warned against attempts to assassinate her. Pakistani Taliban seems to be determined to kill her.

With this award, the young girl has beaten U.S. Intelligence Analyst Edward Snowden who was also nominated. She has entered the league of the previous Nobel winners such as Aung San Suu Kyi and Nelson Mandela.

Recently, Yousafzai was awarded with the Pride of Britain Awards by David Beckham in London. She was honored with the "Teenager of Courage Award." She has now become an icon of courage and valiance.