Signs of hope (snaps)

[LahoreEstate]

The Taliban invaded their school, an explosion damaged it and a Pakistani army offensive forced them to leave it behind. As classes in the Swat Valley resumed August 1, 2009the first time in months, this group of schoolboys began the day with a prayer for protection from the Quran. ‘Say, 'I seek refuge in the lord of men, the king of men, the God of men, from the evil of the whisperer, who slinks off, who whispers into the hearts of men, from jinns and men!’ one student read to his teenage classmates at the school in Mingora, Swat's main city – here is a look at images from various schools in Swat.— Reuters Photos.



Boys attend class in a damaged school in Mingora, located in Pakistan's Swat Valley, about 260 km (161 miles) by road northwest of Islamabad. Pakistan re-opened schools over the weekend in the Swat valley where troops have been fighting Taliban guerrillas for over three months.



Girls react to their picture being taken from the doorway of a classroom while attending school in Mingora, located in Pakistan's Swat Valley, about 260 km (161 miles) by road northwest of Islamabad.



A young girl (L) reads aloud while attending class in a makeshift school tent in Mingora, located in Pakistan's Swat Valley, about 260 km (161 miles) by road northwest of Islamabad.



Girls have class in a school in Mingora, capital of Swat Valley district, Pakistan. Scores of eager children headed back to school in northern Pakistan's battle-scarred Swat Valley on Saturday, many taking classes in buildings damaged during recent fighting between Taliban militants and security forces.— AP Photos.



A girl attends a class in a makeshift school tent in Mingora, located in Pakistan's Swat Valley, about 260 km (161 miles) by road northwest of Islamabad.


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