The latest presentation of the New Jersey Speakers Series held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center was the international human rights activist and author Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Ali, a courageous, strong-willed and often-controversial figure was raised as a proud Muslim, fled her homeland of Somalia and eventually denounced her Muslim faith. Escaping an arranged marriage and suffering genital mutilation as a young girl, Ali dedicates her life to spreading awareness about violence against women and advocates for an “enlightened Islam.”
Photo Credit: Michael Paras
Her work is an extension of her beliefs about fighting injustice, including her biographical books Infidel and Heretic, as well as her collaboration on Submission, a short film criticizing the treatment of women in Islam. The film, directed by Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh, brought death threats against Ali and in 2004 Van Gogh was brutally assassinated by a Dutch-Moroccan Muslim.
In 1977 Ms. Ali’s father, a leading figure in the Somalian Revolution, escaped prison and moved the family to Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and then Kenya. In 1992, while visiting a relative in the Netherlands, she sought political asylum and quickly obtained a residents permit. She found solace and knowledge in books, studying social work and getting a Master of Science degree in political science.
After the events of September 11, 2001 Ali renounced Islam and declared herself an atheist. She began writing articles and speaking out against abuse toward Muslim women in the Netherlands, drawing attention and eventually winning a seat in the Dutch Parliament.
After the bloody murder of Van Gogh the Dutch government stepped up security for Ali after finding a death threat against her pinned to the victim.
She resigned from the Dutch Parliament in 2006 and became a visiting scholar at The American Enterprise Institution in Washington, DC. After moving to the United States Ali became an American citizen and, soon after, Brandies University announced she would be presented with an honorary degree. The gesture was soon withdrawn after lobbying from American-Islamic groups.
Ali became a Fellow with the Future of Diplomacy Project at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at The Harvard Kennedy School. She is currently researching the relationship between the West and Islam. She must live with round-the-clock security. Her willingness to speak out and her abandonment of the Muslim faith have made her a target for violence by Islamic extremists.
In 2005 TIME Magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential People.
Photo Credit: Michael Paras
She characterizes Islam as the “new fascism”:
"Just like Nazism started with Hitler's vision, the Islamic vision is a caliphate — a society ruled by Sharia law – in which women who have sex before marriage are stoned to death, homosexuals are beaten, and apostates like me are killed. Sharia law is as inimical to liberal democracy as Nazism." In this interview, she said, "Violence is inherent in Islam – it's a destructive, nihilistic cult of death. It legitimates murder." ~London Evening Standard, 2007
As a girl growing up in suburban America Ms. Ali’s bio reads like a work of fiction, something foreign and distant from what I’ve known. Yet the details of her life are real, and her experiences provide us with a glimpse of the Muslim world as she interprets them for us. She explains her hopes for a more modern doctrine for Islam and an end to the horrors of terrorism, sectarian warfare and the repression of women and minorities.
“In 2000 you would have looked at me through different eyes. After September 11, 2001 we are here and now you are listening. Now you can identify with some degree with what I am talking about.” ~Ayaan Hirsi Ali
“I’m so grateful I made it, and making it through puts an obligation on me to help others. As I grew up in Somalia, Kenya and the Netherlands I was exposed to much. What stays with me and what I want to pass on to the next generation is not suffering but ideas that make it possible for human beings to make it through. Having fled an arranged marriage, having stood up to my father, I choose to pass on to my son and to others a radical change of ideas.” ~Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Ms. Ali’s life has been one of hardship, terror, violence, sacrifice and ultimately love. She carries a great burden on her shoulders when speaking out against Islam, its treatment of women and how she believes Muslims must view G-d as a loving one and not to embrace life after death. Her opinions are controversial and at times I disagreed with them. But in the end there’s no question she’s doing what she thinks she must in the name of saving young girls from suffering the horrors she did.
The world will be watching.
DISCLOSURE: I received three complimentary tickets to The New Jersey Speaker Series sponsored by Fairleigh Dickinson University All opinions are, as always, completely my own.
This was an interesting read. I was not familiar with her work. Thanks for educating me!
Oh my, what a fascinating woman. Her life experiences are incredible. I would love to read more about her. She must have been an electrifying speaker!
Religions have always been twisted to fit the twisted goals of crazy people. This whole situation makes me sad. I'm glad to know about her and what she does. I might have to get that book.
What a strong woman. I see that some of what she said didn't mesh with you - but I appreciate your thoughtful post on what she experienced and discussed. I'm sure it was an interesting event to attend.
It's so hard to think that there are women all over the world not being able to make choices for themselves. Thank you for sharing her story.
Thanks for introducing this brave woman. I'll research more about her.
Fascinating article.
I admire this woman's passion for human rights, tenacity, and sacrifice. It takes a strong woman to face what she has faced and speak out even though she is endangered.
I am placing her books on my TBR list.
Appreciate your post and sharing this woman's life and cause with us.
Hi Cathy! How fascinating this woman is. I must confess I knew nothing about her until reading your post but it made me curious in many ways. I know that there are many who are Muslim who carry things to extreme just like there are many in other religions who are also fundamental extremists. But after just spending 3 weeks in Egypt surrounded by moderate Muslims I can say my personal experience is that the ones we met are people just like us, trying to live in their culture with (or without) a religion that they grew up with. Of course that does not deny the horrible experiences of some people and largely women when subjected to the extremes of the religion. My husband denounced fundamental Christianity for its repression and control for many of the same reasons (although as a man he was never forced into physical harm and mutilation). I think the biggest takeaway I have from this post is that it is the duty of all free people to do what we can to educate and offer choices to others whenever possible--regardless of their religion or heritage. ~Kathy
You are always enlightening me! I was not familiar with Ayaan Hirsi Ali. I admire her courage. Thank you Cath!
Such a fascinating story of an amazing woman. It's easy for me to become isolated to the struggles many face in our world. I'm always impressed with passion and desire for those that seek to improve the world around them. Thank you for sharing Cathy!