'A Woman among Warlords'
Afghan author and firebrand Malalai Joya on Canada's mission, Obama's Nobel, dodging assassination, and more.
Joya was booted from parliament for opposing both the Taliban and Karzai's warlord allies.
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Afghan women's leader Joya brings anti-war message to Vancouver
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Harper slammed for failing to support elected Afghan woman
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Karzai's Afghanistan, Last Nail in the West's Coffin
The most powerful empire in history proves to be dumb as a bag of hammers.
- A Woman Among Warlords: The Extraordinary Story of an Afghan Who Dared to Raise Her Voice
- Scribner Book Company (2009)
Malalai Joya is the epitome of who Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan are supposed to be fighting to protect. She is an educated and empowered young woman who shed her burqa, spoke out against fundamentalism and rose to prominence when the Taliban were ousted in 2001. Yet while she detests the Taliban and the Afghan warlords, she is also a vocal opponent of the U.S. and NATO occupation of Afghanistan.
While her father fought in the mountains with the mujihadeen against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the early 1980s, Joya fled with her mother and siblings to refugee camps in Iran and Pakistan. When the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 1996, Joya did the unthinkable -- she returned to her country and set up a clandestine school for girls under the noses of the Islamists. Along with her underground activities came the ever-present risk of arrest and execution.
Taking advantage of the new freedoms offered by the Taliban's fall from power, Joya became the youngest person ever elected to Afghanistan's parliament in 2005. She immediately used her position to publicly denounce the warlordism she says is destroying her country. However, many of the warlords and drug traffickers Joya spoke out against were also her fellow MPs. In May 2007 she was suspended from parliament for offending them.
Joya's work entails considerable personal risk and she has already survived four assassination attempts. Urged by her supporters to go into exile abroad, she has refused to abandon her country in the face of fear.
She is the author of the new book A Woman Among Warlords and last weekend launched a cross-Canada speaking tour in Vancouver. Just before she traveled to B.C., I reached her at the New York hotel where she was registered under a fake name for security. Here is what she had to say...
On the Afghan presidential election mess:
"An election held under occupation and the influence of corruption and warlordism has no legitimacy at all. It is impossible for there to be a democratic election in Afghanistan right now.
"Hamid Karzai is a corrupt puppet who is betraying our people and Abdullah Abdullah was the preferred candidate of the warlords. Both of their policies are similar -- they both called the Taliban 'brothers.' They are both traitors."
On what most Afghans think about the election:
"Ordinary Afghans don't have security or even food to eat. They don't trust the candidates and often they hate them. It's hard for true Afghan democrats because elections are supposed to be a hallmark of democracy and we want to believe in them. In the lead up to the election Afghans had a saying. They said that whatever the result we would have, [it was] 'the same donkey with a new saddle.'"
On U.S. President Obama's Afghan policies:
"I was hopeful when Obama was elected but unfortunately when he came to power his message to my people was that there will be more war. He increased troop levels and wants to send even more soldiers to Afghanistan. This will only bring more conflict. It is impossible to bring democracy through military occupation and the barrel of a gun.
"His policies are quite similar to that of the Bush administration. His drone attacks in the border area with Pakistan are killing innocent civilians and they have killed hundreds of Afghan civilians with cluster bombs and white phosphorous. They even bomb our wedding parties.
"Despite all of this, somehow he received the Nobel Peace Prize. I don't understand how they could give it to a president who is pursuing wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan."
On what would happen if NATO pulled out of Afghanistan:
"We are stuck between two enemies -- the occupation forces killing innocent civilians, and the Taliban and warlords. Many people say that if the troops leave Afghanistan, civil war will happen. But we have a civil war now. As long as the U.S. and NATO are here, the civil war will continue because they are supporting the government and the warlords. If they end the occupation of my country then we, the true democrats of Afghanistan, will be fighting one enemy instead of two."
On the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan:
"The United States, Canada and the other NATO countries are wasting their taxpayers' money and the blood of their soldiers to support a completely corrupt and illegitimate system.
"I am sorry for the Canadian families who have lost their sons in Afghanistan. The soldiers are themselves victims of their government's policies, just as our civilians are. Their families should raise their voices against the misguided policies of their governments... they must turn their sorrow into strength."
On how she would define global support for the people of Afghanistan:
"When I say that we don't want your soldiers I don't mean that we don't want your help. We are honoured to have the support and solidarity of democratic people in Canada and around the world.
"Please put pressure on your governments to change their policies and demonstrate in your cities to help end our occupation. No one's drones will bomb you and no one will shoot you.
"Moral support and humanitarian support will help us in the difficult and long struggle against the Taliban and the warlords. Support intellectuals and democratic-minded people of my country and support education in Afghanistan. Education, and especially women's education, is a key to democracy and our emancipation."
On the failure to effectively combat the Afghan opium trade and its impact on North American society:
"After eight years, the U.S. and NATO have failed so badly that now Afghanistan exports 93 per cent of the world's opium. In 2001, the Taliban almost destroyed the opium trade in Afghanistan. The Taliban! These uneducated, ignorant misogynists. It's unbelievable that a superpower along with 40 other countries cannot stop the opium trade but a medieval organization like the Taliban nearly succeeds.
"How many poor people do you have on your own streets? Yet the U.S. and Canada send millions to help warlords and drug dealers in Afghanistan. Support for corrupt warlords not only affects the people of my country -- it also allows more and more drugs to make their way onto the streets of Vancouver and destroy your youth as well."
On Pakistani involvement in Afghanistan and the repercussions for Pakistani civilians:
"Throughout our long years of war, the Pakistanis have had puppets in Afghanistan and they still do. The Pakistani intelligence supports the Afghan Taliban, and the madrasas along the border are essentially 'Taliban factories' where people are brainwashed to commit suicide bombings in Afghanistan. The U.S. works with the ISI [Inter-Services Intelligence], and the ISI supports the Afghan Taliban. They are playing cat-and-mouse with the terrorists.
"Now Obama fights a war with drones in the Pakistani border areas. It is the civilians of Pakistan who suffer. They are bombing the poorest and most backward cities of Pakistan."
On going into exile and fearing death:
"I am a woman and I refuse to stay silent. I document the crimes of the warlords, so they want to kill me. My life is always at risk. Even with bodyguards, I am not safe in the country NATO occupies under the banner of women's rights and democracy.
"My supporters abroad are worried, and many people tell me to leave Afghanistan. But I'm not any better than the other democratic people in my country who are dying. My blood is not more red then the blood of my people.
"Faced with so many assassination attempts, I have to imagine that one day they will succeed. But I do not fear death. I fear silence in the face of injustice. That is my message to democratic people around the world."
Malalai Joya's Canadian tour dates can be found here. ![[Tyee]](http://thetyee.cachefly.net/ui/img/ico_fishie.png){kind=small}
BC Mary
16-11-2009
Blessings upon Malalai Joya's campaign
Malalai Joya's words are the words we ought to be sending to Stephen Harper as he struggles to find new reasons for continuing to keep Canadian troops in Afghanistan.
dorothy
16-11-2009
whaaat?
This woman doesn't admire the Western powers. She isn't appreciative of everything we do for her country. She even calls Hamid Karzai and cohorts majorly corrupt in no uncertain terms. What's up? Why do I not see all the usual parties jumping to embrace this brave woman, who aspires to goddess status and surely will achieve it after the thugs eliminate her - why is no one rushing to her side and shouting 'sister! sister!'
Oh, I forgot to read the rest...She also didn't like the Taliban, those crusaders, only used metaphorically of course, who are bent, if not hel-bent, to sock it to the cowboys and their entourage, as soon as they set foot on the green hills of Afghanistan, and sometimes before...
SO, how can you also not like them, when your own dad was one of those on the receiving end of gross western injustice, which they were trying so hard to correct??
I see why this woman does not get instant adulation here. She's almost 'getting it', but not quite. Falls short of REAL political insight. Too bad.
max von smartt
16-11-2009
Blood for Oil
The fight for democracy in Afghanistan is a smokescreen; what America and the West really want is control of the resources, namely gas and oil pipeline routes from the Caspian basin through the Khyber pass to Pakistani saltwater. The Taliban refused to deal. And let's not forget that 911 was an inside job and Osama a patsy. The whole war is a fraud.
coyoteman
16-11-2009
Malalai...
This is the woman I was speaking of a while back, whom I'd seen on CNN, so shocking the woman interviewer, and that Dorothy so quickly dismissed in the same thread. (Where here now, she seems to have done a sudden and complete turnaround, in her own convoluted way. :-) lol
Women in this country, and the Empire homeland, who support our "brave troops" and government policy in Afghanistan, because they actually think it is all about liberating women, need to read this young Afghan woman. She sees the contradictions and cruel nuances in a way that many of these "relatively privileged" women, ignorant of the real history and circumstances of Afghanistan, do not, and seem unable.
Malalai gets my respect. Her bravery is unparallelled.
All foreign forces serving The Empire out of Afghanistan, NOW! (Before they are driven out at great wasted blood and treasure sacrifice anyway.)
Myvoice
16-11-2009
Malalai
Joya is one of those rare people in the world who will risk their own life and limb and creature comforts to do what she believes in and put other people first. And not just ANY other people - she could be fraternizing with elites but instead she is giving her all for the average poor oppressed Afghan. She has to put up with death threats, insults and scorn on an almost daily basis to accomplish what is almost an insurmountable (yet, hopefully not impossible) task of bringing rights to women and the average person. Even our own governments (Harper, etc) who enjoy a life of luxury and comparative safety do not want to lift a finger to help.. Let's see what we can do as average Canadians to influence our government to do something to aid Malalai's cause... even if only to pull our troops out of the country, and let the Afghans find their own strength and dignity to lead themselves where they feel they need to go...
thelaloblog
16-11-2009
The Misogyny Brotherhood
"The reality is that in the current Afghan government you can't swing a cat without hitting a woman-hating warlord. This is the group that appointed a fundamentalist judiciary that sends women to prison for adultery, which they commit during the act of getting raped. In the recent elections Karzai and his two warlord running mates ran on the slogan: Misogyny! It's not just for the Taliban anymore!"
http://www.thelaloblog.com/1/post/2009/08/to-the-women-of-afghanistan-no-need-to-thank-me.html
soleprobe
16-11-2009
“…drugs to make their way onto the streets of Vancouver.”
Sadly this woman knows more about some of the real reasons behind this war than many Canadians.
And just how does all that opium find its way all the way from Afghanistan to the streets of Vancouver? Well the answer to that question is right in front of our eyeballs. If one takes a stroll down to Main and Hastings where most of the Afghan heroin is distributed, you will also find one of the largest police departments in Vancouver smack-dab in the middle of all the drug trafficking.
Hmmmm…. I wonder who brings in the drugs and sets up the gangs to distribute them?
Of course every now and then their media will demonize one of their own (the Bacons) to facilitate the illusion of fighting the drug war.
If all Canadians knew the real reasons why their sons and daughters and innocent Afghan civilians are getting blown to pieces this war might end in a heartbeat.
Okanagan Orchardist
16-11-2009
Spread the word...
You need to spread the word about the futility of using guns to bring about democracy. How foolish of Harper, Stockwell Day and other morons to follow the US lead in this. I hope Malalai Joya is able to avoid death until she gets people to listen.
mikev
16-11-2009
we're doing it right, this time
Posted by OilbertaRedTory over on The Hook:
http://robwipond.com/?p=32
Waziland
16-11-2009
Malalai is very similar to Warlords!
I know Afghans, their culture, and their values. I believe that they are the victims of war, and due to the long war, there are many negative happenings in Afghanistan. However, I expect that every Afghan to appreciate the good things that Canadians and others are trying to do or have done for Afghans.
Malalai as some other Afghan women and men is a voice of controversy, disillusion and abuse. If any of you noticed all she does is "yell, humiliate and swear while not having any idea how to handle the Afghan economic, politic, and social, and international policies. I do not think that she is helpful to Afghans at all. What is Malala’s achievement for the Afghan men and woman during her participation in Karzai Government? Absolutely, she achieved nothing for them, but she is a person of interest for certain groups and media. All she does during the session in Afghan Parliament that she is yelling at warlords and it should be considered very banal behaviour. I have no idea why I have to call behaviour like this bravery. She is the same thing like Mr. Abdulah Abdulah. Just look at her answers to the questions. She answers them with such simple thoughts, and she thinks that the Afghan Issue so easy to solve. In simple word “Malalai is a Third World demagogue entertaining Westerners and at the same benefiting from her controversies economically, socially and internationally.” If she is useful for Afghans, I want to see what she will do for Afghans, what are her plans, and how she can implement them.
catface
16-11-2009
Dorothy, try reading before condemning
Oh Dorothy, you are so typical of the ignorant canadian it makes me weep.
A few answers to your questions and objections:
"This woman doesn't admire the Western powers. "
-- Who could possibly ‘admire’ the Western powers who are responsible for so much misery around the planet? Our whole lifestyle in the west is based on global oppression pillage, and extortion, via support of tyrannies and dictatorships that enable western corporate thievery of world wide resources.
"She isn't appreciative of everything we do for her country."
“Everything we do for her country”??!? What canadian soldiers are doing TO Malalai’s country is propping up misogynist warlords, going house to house in villages kicking down doors and terrorizing those inside, hauling inncocent young men off and handing them over to be tortured (by Americans or afghan police), calling in american or british aerial bombardments (the most cowardly soldiers in the world, bombing from miles away) that mostly blow women and children to bloody bits. Guess what Dorothy? I don’t appreciate western powers either – nor does anyone who has studied what they really do in the world.
"She even calls Hamid Karzai and cohorts majorly corrupt in no uncertain terms. (etc.)"
If you paid attention to anything outside the propaganda of our gov and corrupt mainstream media, you would know that a) Hamid Karzai and his cohorts ARE majorly corrupt in no uncertain terms, and b) that the ‘usual parties’ are rushing to Malalai’s side and embracing her as sister. As I and hundres of others did on Saturday night when she spoke in Vancouver.
"SO, how can you also not like them, when your own dad was one of those on the receiving end of gross western injustice, which they were trying so hard to correct??"
Dorothy, when one develops a consistent and mature view of justice, one grows to hate injustice equally no matter who is the perpetrator. All the male power structures in Afghanistan, whether Taliban, Northern Alliance, karzai and his cohorts, or Canadian military, are all brutalizing the Afghan people.
"I see why this woman does not get instant adulation here. She's almost 'getting it', but not quite. Falls short of REAL political insight. Too bad."
Dorothy, Malalai is widely respected here and around the world. Adulation is the drug of the idiots who watch to much reality and gossip TV.
Sad that you yourself have so little insight, political or otherwise. It’s not a fatal condition though – try educating yourself a little, please.
As for solutions, Malalai does propose a solution, the main solution, the only one that can open space to solve the many problems in Afghanistan - get the goddamn occupying armies of Nato out of Afghanistan. That means Canadian soldiers too.
No good can be accomplished until that happens.
Rick
Richmond, bc
Ahda
16-11-2009
in response to Waziland comment
These are some of the FACTS about this woman's contributions to her country. Beyond these, she has stood up for what she believes is justice and truth. I haven't done that recently - have you?
* is a Member of the Afghan Parliament. Malalai won the second highest number of votes in the province.
* She finished her education in Pakistan and began teaching literacy courses to other women at age 19.
*After the Soviets left, Malalai Joya returned to Afghanistan in 1998 during the Taliban's reign. During that time she established an orphanage and health clinic, and was soon a vocal opponent of the Taliban. (from afghanwomensmission.org)
Brent200
16-11-2009
Dorothy, While many
Dorothy,
While many Canadians condemn the war in Afghanistan, no one supports the Taliban. That is a conservative delusion.
This is not 1968 and they are not the Viet Cong. Have you ever seen their banner at a Canadian rally?
Jeffrey J.
16-11-2009
Ms. Joya Breathtaking
Ms. Joya is a breathtaking, vibrant courageous voice, rising above the mediocrity of the Canadian and US elites, who babble on about nothing of meaning. As she says:
"I am sorry for the Canadian families who have lost their sons in Afghanistan. The soldiers are themselves victims of their government's policies, just as our civilians are. Their families should raise their voices against the misguided policies of their governments... they must turn their sorrow into strength."
Exactly what i would say about our own straining, intolerant governments, including Harper and Campbell, who preach (beg) to the elite, hoping for approval and vindication, without ever recognizing real independence when they see it.
Thank you Blake Sifton for an amazing, powerful piece.
Waziland
17-11-2009
Malalai an ordinary
You guys portray Malalai Joya as a special individual to the world media. If you look at her legacy, there's nothing extraordinary about her. All she did is yelling at others in the Afghan Parliament in an extremely banal manner. Change does not happen over night. From her answers to all questions, one can see the inconsistency in her answers to all questions. She thinks that it is the responsibility of others to fix the Afghan Issue. I would tell her that it is you Afghans the victims of your own mentality. If vote counts, then Dostum (Warlord) had the highest number of votes all the time, and he will have it again because Afghans vote based on locality, ethnicity and tribe. The way you guys explain her legacy, then there are many Afghans (Thousands) who have done extraordinary jobs for the well being of Afghans. It is a game of women playing against men while expecting others to accept their own linear explanation. Joya is playing a game against overall Afghan sentiments while having no thoughts for real Afghan issues. What does she wants? What does she offer to solve the Afghan problem? How does she want to handle the Afghan Issues internationally? Lets the Westerners will leave Afghanistan, then what would happen? Lets Karzai is replaced, and then what is the alternative? Let’s believe that we wasted our soldier and money, then how Malalai Joya is becoming an elected member of Afghan Parliament, and is able to come to Canada to lecture us about democracy. Afghans should look into themselves and ask themselves what is wrong with them instead blaming others for their own miseries.
dorothy
17-11-2009
And that would be right-of-center Liberal
"...no one supports the Taliban. That is a conservative delusion..."
Really? Sounds good. If we act on the impulse of 'just getting our troops out of Afghanistan', no nuanced or considered approach, 'just get out', how do you imagine we are going to prevent the Taliban from moving right in? We can come up with all kinds of things that ought to have changed and made the government stronger, but the fact remains that we will essentially be asking the same powers to keep the Taliban in check, who proved before that they couldn't do so. So, I consider it hairsplitting rhetoric to say one is not in support of them, when what one is in support of will result in the same practical outcome.
mikev
17-11-2009
dorothy
"when they fix up 'roadside bombs' in their usual cowardly fashion"
As opposed to dropping bombs from comfortable aircraft cockpits entirely out of harm's way? Or even better, using video game controllers to drop bombs from thousands of kilometers away using unmanned drones. Yeah, our bravery vs. their cowardice eh?
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2008/07/wargames/
"how do you imagine we are going to prevent the Taliban from moving right in?"
OBVIOUSLY, we have not, and we almost certainly will not. The sooner we accept this, the better for EVERYONE.
Brent200, this is exactly like the Viet Cong. We consider Afghans better off dead than living under anything like Taliban rule. I'm not convinced that their surviving family members agree with us. Unfortunate collateral damage in our good hearted humanitarian mission - to kill everyone who resists us.
General Rick Hillier: "We are the Canadian Forces, and our job is to be able to kill people."
Thousands and thousands of innocent Afghani civilians have been killed by US and NATO forces. The country is still a mess, in many many ways worse than before the invasion. I should be proud?