( CNN ) -- Apparently it was a coincidence , but the deadly shooting in Ottawa came on the same day that the 17-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai was scheduled to speak with high school students and receive honorary Canadian citizenship . Instead of listening to Malala , instead of seeing Prime Minister Stephen Harper honor the idealistic teenager who defied radicals to advocate peace , reconciliation , and education , Canadians watched in horror as their normally placid capital became the scene of mayhem in what Harper later described as a terrorist attack . It was the second attack this week , the second in which a Canadian soldier was killed . In both cases the alleged perpetrators were men whose passports authorities had confiscated fearing they had become radicalized and would travel to the Middle East to join Islamist extremists . The Ottawa attack kept Malala from delivering her message in person . And yet , there is something profoundly powerful in this intersection -- in this scheduling conflict of competing ideologies . The killings in Canada and the canceled events delineate a sharp contrast between the alternative worldviews faced by young people today -- particularly by young Muslims . They also highlight the need to develop a clear path of active involvement for those who want to join in making a reality of Malala 's vision , just as those who support extremists receive clear direction on how to join their cause . On one side there is the future outlined with such remarkable clarity by Malala , one in which we provide educational opportunities for all , strive for peace , and respect our differences . She has the heavy burden of having become the torch-bearer for advocates of moderation , coexistence and equality . Then there is the other end of the spectrum , inhabited by the hyper-extremist group known as ISIS , which also manages to communicate its vision for the future , broadcasting its ideology , its military exploits and its excesses across social media platforms . Malala had arrived in Toronto this week , as scheduled but , sadly , she left town without speaking , after her events were canceled as a result of the crisis in Ottawa . She tweeted , `` I extend my thoughts and prayers to the Canadian people during this difficult time . '' It was not the first time that her plans were abruptly changed by a shooter . Her life took a most unexpected turn in 2012 after an extremist tried to kill her . Now , with the rise of ISIS and a jihadist appeal that has brought young Muslims from around the world to fight in Syria and Iraq , Malala 's symbolic place in the battle of ideas extends beyond Pakistan and Afghanistan . Now it is vital that her message be heard everywhere . But she can not do it alone . There is a great need to build on her ideas with practical action . Those who accept the ISIS creed know what to do . They travel to the Middle East to join their jihad , or they follow ISIS 's deadly guidance at home . For those who embrace Malala 's enlightened view there is no clear path ahead . How does a young person join the cause of freedom and equality ? One of the admirable aspects of young adulthood is an awakening to the larger world ; a wish to become involved in something larger than ourselves , a drive to make the world a better place . Consider Malala 's words at the U.N. last year : `` We call upon all communities to be tolerant -- to reject prejudice based on cast , creed , sect , religion or gender . To ensure freedom and equality for women so that they can flourish . We can not all succeed when half of us are held back . We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave -- to embrace the strength within themselves and realize their full potential . '' Compare it to the ISIS appeal , which a few days ago proclaimed the rightness of its revival of slavery and slave markets for selling Yazidi women , or its more recent call to followers , `` If you are not able to find an IED or a bullet , then single out the disbelieving American , Frenchman , or any of their allies . Smash his head with a rock , or slaughter him with a knife , or run him over with your car , or throw him down from a high place , or choke him , or poison him . '' The jihadi appeal is quickly rejected by the vast majority of Muslims , but the tiny percentage who accept it can cause terrible damage . And their help contributes to ISIS victories in the Middle East that are destroying the lives of men and women , including those who might have grown into future Malalas . Malala 's canceled events in Canada will likely be rescheduled . When she returns , she will have a message that will resonate even louder after what occurred in Ottawa . Until then , let her supporters come up with a plan so that those who would follow her can help build the world she envisions , with organizations and active movements in which people can enlist to promote equality , coexistence , and acceptance of other points of view .
Frida Ghitis : Malala was due to make appearances on day of Ottawa shooting . She says Malala has a powerful message of reconciliation and education . Ghitis : It stands in stark contrast to the hateful , violent rhetoric ISIS uses to recruit . TL;DR The Canadian government is calling for an end to violence against women after the attack that killed 15-year-old schoolgirl Malala.