Apr 10 2007
Conversation with Afghan Parliamentarian Malalai Joya
GUEST: Malalai Joya, the youngest member of the Afghan Parliament, representing Farah Province
Roadside bombs in southern Afghanistan killed seven NATO soldiers recently. The act was likely a retaliation for NATO’s biggest anti-Taliban offensive to date. Meanwhile an Afghan freelance journalist and his translator, who had been kidnapped along with Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo, were beheaded yesterday. Mastrogiacomo had been released in exchange for 5 Taliban prisoners in March. Several Afghan de-mining workers employed by an American firm were also killed over the weekend. Afghanistan is becoming more dangerous each day, as US and NATO forces continue their campaign against the Taliban resurgence in the South. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s parliament, dominated by pro-US warlords, recently forgave themselves for past crimes and are aggressively squelching democratic efforts in the North. Today we speak with the youngest and most outspoken member of the Afghan parliament, Malalai Joya. I had interviewed Malalai in 2005 in Farah Province in Afghanistan before she was elected, and last year she joined us in studio. Now Malalai is back in Los Angeles for a couple of local events. She will be speaking alongside playwright Eve Ensler this evening at UCLA’s Grand Ackerman Ballroom, following which there will be a concert featuring Saul Williams, Jello Biafra, and many others. She will also be speaking this Thursday in Orange County at the Shepherd of the Hills UCC Church in Laguna Niguel at 7 pm. I spoke with Malalai Joya yesterday.
Malalai Joya’s speaking events:
Tuesday April 10 – Los Angeles – Mighty Mic Human Rights Awareness Concert from 6-10 pm at UCLA campus Grand Ackerman Ballroom – featuring Malalai Joya and Eve Ensler with musical guests: Peaches, The Fall of Troy, Saul Williams, Jello Biafra, Mark Gonzalez, Raine Maida, and Far East Movement. Suggested donation of $10 at the door, free for UCLA students. Non-UCLA students must show up at 5 pm to be admitted. This is a joint fundraiser for RAWA and Doctors Without Borders. Download the poster here: http://www.afghanwomensmission.org/graphics/UCLAflyer.jpg
Thursday April 12 – Laguna Niguel, CA – Shepherd of the Hills UCC Church, Laguna Niguel at 7 pm. Address: 30121 Niguel Rd (intersection of Crown Valley Parkway & Niguel Road), Laguna Niguel, CA 92677. For more info, call 949-495-1310.
Visit www.afghanwomensmission.org for details about these events. For more information about Malalai Joya visit www.malalaijoya.com.
2 Responses to “Conversation with Afghan Parliamentarian Malalai Joya”
I hope and pray that Malalai Joya will live a long life with many accomplishments for the ordinary people of Afghanistan. I admire RAWA of course. Back in the winter of 2000/2001 I was a guest at a small mosque in San Diego county that was owned by an Afghan doctor. I went back to practicing Islam when I was down and out and had no place to go. Those people were so kind to give me refuge. I suppose I was being somewhat opportunistic, but I truly wanted to change my life for the better and I thought I would be better off with good Muslim people who are sober and conduct themselves with ‘adab’ and integrity of character. I remember I spent almost the entire time there in the company of men. I never saw the mens’ wives or other female relatives. Only now am I learning about the struggles of Afghan women. I am still interested even though I no longer practice Islam. I wasn’t born and raised a Muslim. I left my practice of Islam because I know too much now, and I don’t want to be a deceiver and a ‘munafiq’. If I continued down that Muslim path, I would be a deceptive play actor. Yoy! I certainly pray that little by little the situation will improve, but what good is the US government doing? I need to read your book. I acquired a copy that I have yet to read.
veri good gir thank you!!!!!!!!!!