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Malala Yousafzai, Canada's Youngest Honorary Citizen Recipient [VIDEO]

By Alleah Kiamco | Update Date: Apr 14, 2017 10:01 AM EDT

Malala Yousafzai, 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient and a Pakistani Women's Rights and Education Activist, became the youngest honorary citizen awardee in Canada. She received the title during an honorary citizenship ceremony in Ottawa last Wednesday.

The 19-year-old Yousafzai has been awarded the title on 2014, but has received the award just last Wednesday at the House of Commons, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, handing out the certificate, the CNN reports.

Malala's work has since been known to the world when she got shot in 2012 by Taliban gunmen because she was defying the ban on girls attending school in her native home, Pakistan.

The youngest honorary citizen awarded with the title said in her speech that while she will always be a proud Pashtun and a proud citizen of Pakistan, she is truly grateful to be an honorary member in Canada's nation of heroes, the BBC  points out.

She was applauded and have received a standing ovation from the parliamentarians as she was once again urging people not to be broken down by those who are trying to divide and destroy the world's democracy, rights for education and freedom of religion.

Malala Yousafzai also praised Canada's choice of embracing refugees from war-stricken countries and its ongoing international development work for girls and women.

An Honorary Canadian Citizenship is bestowed by the Canadian government on foreigners that are leaders and advocates of a cause with exceptional merit. The recipient of the award does not take Canadian's oath of citizenship and does not receive the rights and privileges held by a Canadian citizen. However, it is a symbolic honor that the awardee's work in the world and in the community does not go unnoticed.

The young activist joins the list of Raoul Wallenberg, Nelson Mandela, Tenzin Gyatso, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Karim Aga Khan IV, who have also received Canada's honorary citizenship.

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