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GUESTS: Malalai Joya, member of Afghan National Assembly

This evening, Afghan parliamentarian, Malalai Joya will kick off a US tour in Los Angeles. The 27 year old member of the Afghan National Assembly has gained international attention for her scathing critiques of US-backed warlords who are once more in power in Afghanistan. The BBC has called Malalai Joya, “the most famous woman in Afghanistan.” She is one of the most popular members of the new government, but is threatened routinely by the warlords she criticizes. Malalai Joya has survived 4 assassination attempts. A year ago, when I was visiting Afghanistan, I interviewed Malalai Joya at her office in Farah Province. She told me she was considering running for election in the Parliamentary elections. Last September, she won a seat with the second highest number of votes in her province. I’m so honored to have Malalai Joya in studio with me, one year later.

Many of you know that my work outside of KPFK involves solidarity work with Afghan women. My organization, Afghan Women’s Mission sponsored Malalai Joya’s trip to the US.

WHAT: Malalai Joya on “Women Rights, Warlords, and the US Occupation of Afghanistan”

WHEN: Monday March 6th, 2006, 7 pm

WHERE: Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Westminister Chapel, 663 S. Berendo, Los Angeles

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 626-676-7884. Or visit www.afghanwomensmission.org. Also, visit www.malalaijoya.com.

Sonali’s Subversive Thought for the Day:

I would like to quote a sign that I saw on Malalai Joya’s wall last year when I visited her in Farah, Afghanistan. It was a Persian proverb that said, “If I arise, then you will arise, we will all arise.”