Malalai Joya is the most outspoken Afghan politician who has been called "the bravest and most famous woman in Afghanistan."
She is a peace, democracy, women's rights and development activist, writer and a former MP from Afghanistan.
Noam Chomsky called her "truly worthy choice for the Nobel Peace Prize" and she is coming to Sydney to give a public speech!
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Malalai Joya has been outspoken about the need for Western troops to get out of her country, so that Afghans can determine their futures. She is adamant that Afghans do not support fundamentalism, but that the longer the West's occupation forces stay, the more these reactionary forces are being rehabilitated.
She secretly conducted girl's classes during the Taliban regime then served in the National Assembly of Afghanistan from 2005 until early 2007, when she was dismissed for publicly denouncing the presence of warlords and war criminals in the Afghan parliament.
She is an outspoken critic of the Karzai administration and the ten-year occupation by the West. She has been called the bravest woman in Afghanistan.
In 2010, Time magazine placed Malalai Joya on their annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The Guardian listed her among its "Top 100 women: activists and campaigners".
‘Malalai Joya leaves us with hope that the tormented people of Afghanistan can take their fate into their own hands if they are released from the grip of foreign powers.’ - Noam Chomsky
ENTRY: $15 waged / $10 concession (entry money is to cover the cost of Malalai Joya's tour. Anything raised beyond that will be donated to her education and health projects in Afghanistan)
Booking: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=11554
You can also pay at the door IF seats are still available.
TRANSPORT: Catch the 426 bus from the city (stops opposite), or a short walk from the 423 bus stop (before it turns left down Illawarra Rd), or 5-10 minutes walk from Marrickville train station (turn right out the station, go up Illawarra Rd, then veer left up Petersham Rd until you reach Marrickville Rd).
This public meeting is being supported by Marrickville Peace Group and the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, Sydney University.
Malalai Joya's website: http://www.malalaijoya.com/