Malala, Hosseini to speak at San Jose

Malala Yousafzai, a 17-year-old Nobel Prize laureate and women’s rights advocate, will be speaking at a lecture series event hosted by best-selling novelist Khaled Hosseini at the San Jose State Event Center on June 26.

Malala will deliver a message of peace, courage and unity against tyranny. After her speech, there will be a sit-down question and answer session moderated by Hosseini, author of “The Kite Runner” and “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” who is one of Malala’s favorite contemporary writers.

“It sounds like an incredible opportunity. Many kids who just want to get through reading open ‘Kite Runner’ [in sophomore year] and start to love reading,” English teacher Amy Keys said. “It’s also relevant because so much of ‘Kite Runner’ occurs in the Bay Area, in places like Fremont. And Malala, of course, is such an inspiration to everyone.”

The hour and a half event is part of the Unique Lives & Experiences women’s lecture series, in which famous speakers share their personal stories.

Malala, born in Pakistan, became a worldwide figure when she advocated for the education of girls by blogging and giving speeches. When Malala was 15, she was shot at point-blank range by a Taliban gunman for her advocacy of education for girls. Malala recovered and continues advocating for universal education and wrote a best-selling autobiography, “I Am Malala,” about her experiences.

Ticket sales for the event for the general public began on March 21. Tickets, available on Ticketmaster, range from $20 to $220. Those who purchase the VIP Package can attend a reception with hors d’oeuvres, meet and greet with Malala and take a photo with her.

“I think the event is incredible and I am ecstatic. Malala's resilience and bravery is so incredible. She embodies the quote, ‘What doesn't kill you makes you stronger,’” said senior Supriya Khandekar, who plans on attending the event.