The brave and historical speech of Malalai Joya in the LJ

Dec.17, 2003, Loya Jirga in Kabul

When her time came to make her 3-minute statement, she tugged her black headscarf over her hair, stepped up to the microphone, and with emotional electricity made the speech that would alter her life.

After she spoke, there was a moment of stunned silence. Then there was an uproar. Male mujahideen, some who literally had guns at their feet, rushed towards her, shouting. She was brought under the protection of UN security forces.

In a nation where few dare to say the word "warlord" aloud, Joya had spoken fiercely against a proposal to appoint high clergy members and fundamentalist leaders to guide planning groups. She objected that several of those religious leaders were war criminals who should be tried for their actions—not national heroes to influence the new government.

Despite the commands of Assembly Chairman, Joya refused to apologize.

Today, as a result of her legendary actions, Malalai Joya has become popular hero in Afghanistan. She speaks at rallies where thousands of people carry her photo high.

Category:

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Tags:

• Malalai
• Joya
• Afghanistan
• Kabul
• Persian
• Farsi
• Dari

[academysounds]

God keep her safe and shower the blessings upon her.

[fahimdrifter123]

brave woman ....we must be proud of her

[Neeparr]

@GoodNightGoodLuck: The world need more people like her....I thank her....as a woman, as a Muslim and as a human being....and I am not even an Afghan!

[sanyikamtl]

I just love her, she is really somebody full of courage and an enlightened human being,, bless to you and to the afghan people who suffer so many injustices

[reza4]

look at that low life  arab, back warded,evil, looter Sibghatullah Mojadidi spreading of arab back warded culture in afghanistan the Greater Khorasan. this low life dirty arab is the real problem in afghanistan Greater Khorasan looters and low life like him who hate the culture and history of greater khorasan.ones who want to spread the evil of salafi vahabi fake islam in the Greater Khorasan. the first step to achieve freedom and peace is to hang bastards like this bache baz.

[ManishS19]

Lioness. Absolute Lioness.

[larmgatan]

i proud of you miss joya !  i really love you and respect you .

[rayza563]

He (a very respected Afghan elder let me remind you) merely said this because those exact warlords were in that room that very second (did you see the man with the white beard @1.01) if he were to become enraged all hell would have broken loose and she would be dead within the day. The man controls thousands of men and has tanks, rpg's and many other weapons at his disposal.

I do support her but she did spark drama and no doubt Hazrat Mojadeddi was just trying to calm the guests.

[afghanistanpashton]

good ,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[churchmn]

Thanks for this. I have favorited it, and I will share it.

[LeClerc15]

Well, seeing as how you're well-versed in the Sacred Texts and a close follower of Judaism I guess I'd better take your word for it.