Abu Dhabi, Jan 1 (IANS/WAM): Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani education activist attacked by the Taliban, has expressed her gratitude to Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces, for standing by her during her ordeal.

In a meeting with Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, chairperson of the UAE General Women's Union (GWU) and of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) here Tuesday, Malala said that Sheikh Mohamed's support for her medical treatment gave her a new lease of life.

Following the attack by the Taliban on the schoolgirl and rights activist in 2012, Sheikh Mohamed had dispatched a medical team to evaluate and facilitate her transfer to Britain for lifesaving medical treatment.

During the meeting, Sheikha Fatima underscored the vital importance of education to empower women for a better future in consistence with tolerant Islamic teachings away from extremism, fanaticism and introversion.

Sheikha Fatima said that women need more support and assistance to realise what they aspire for, being half of the society and man's partner in work.

Malala expressed her extreme delight at meeting Sheikha Fatima, whom she praised as a role model for empowerment of women not only in the UAE but also in Arab and Muslim countries and the world at large.