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.

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[ManishS19]

Lioness. Absolute Lioness.

[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!

[provencelle1]

immense courage.Bravo

la lutte pour seulement avoir le droit d'exister est encore le quotidien de tellement de femmes!

Ne croyez surtout pas qu'en occident nous sommes protégées de toute regression

[queeenof420]

Just finished her book....truly an amazing and inspirational woman.

[DackIsBack]

Amazing, to have the courage to speak the truth in the face of deceit, I think we can all recognize the strength of this woman no matter what nation we're from.

[VGValerie x]

so much respect for her, go malalai!

[Forooz Feri]

az 1 mola bishtar az en entezar nist. har kas harfe hagh zad molaha an ra sarkoob mikonand. keshvaretan ra be daste molaha nadahid (az Iran)

[workingmom21]

And again- a woman is brave in the islamic world!!! Listen all men in islamic and eastern world: you live with all the laws you made by yourself very comfortable. So it is a consequence that only women can stand up. And we are brave- more than you all wannabe "ba qhayrat ha" are.

[Waqas Khwaja]

You are a brave woman Malalai Joya, and it is shameful to see that in a room chockfull of self-righteous males not one had the guts to protest against stopping you mid-speech or throwing you out of the assembly. Stay strong. There are millions around the world who support you.

[2y2dorg]

a true service to other person.

love and light to all.

poleshift.ning.com

[khaterarahimi]

I would salute a woman as brave as Malalai! If we had more women like her, we wouldn't be so opressed! Zindabad Malalai Joya!

[moman73]

And dont get me wrong I completely agree with what she had to say.