Controversial politician Ayaan Hirsi Ali was back in parliament today after spending the last couple of months in hiding abroad. Hirsi Ali is the subject of many death threats in The Netherlands, as she is a very outspoken critic of radical Islam and its many excesses.
She went into hiding after the Dutch film director and newspaper columnist, Theo van Gogh, was murdered for his outspoken criticism of radical Islam, which culminated in the release of the film Submission, which he made together with Hirsi Ali. Tensions were running at an all time high after his death, so Hirsi Ali was taken into hiding for her own protection.
Today, she made a triumphant return and vowed to continue her work. I must say what a great deal of admiration I have for this woman. She grew up in Somalia and suffered genital mutilation as a matter of course. When Somalia collapsed in on itself, her family fled to Saudi Arabia, where she had to stay indoors and wear a veil.
Her family sent her to Europe to travel on to Canada, where she was to marry a cousin. Instead, she went to The Netherlands and claimed political asylum. In the years that followed, she mastered the Dutch language (she really does speak impeccable Dutch), worked as a cleaner and post sorter, then went to university and studied political science.
Eventually, she became a politician and began to work for the emancipation of Muslim women and against the more nefarious tenets of radical Islam. She’s been threatened with death many times, but has vowed not to be intimidated or silenced.
I’ve admired this courageous woman for some time now and thought I should mention her story here. We could do with a few more like her in the world.
A rather good blog about her has recently appeared.
Fascinating and inspirational and tremendously courageous woman. Thanks for passing on her story, Ian.
What I can not understand is why would she shoot “her efforts” and the efforts of so many Muslims in the foot by slandering the faith that is held dear to so many Muslim activists for women’s rights? Her intent seems to have been to injure rather than inform. It was not an intelligent move on her part since all it did was alienate Muslim sympathizers on the inside. Also like many critics of religion her bitterness seems to stem from her personal experiences with parent’s practice of traditional Somolian customs and not Islam. She like so many of those whose agree with her have never devouted a though read of the Quran or hadith. Had they it would become appearant to them that no where in these texts do they condone spousal abuse. The part of the Quran which states “beat them lightly” was demonstrated in the hadith as a light tap on the hand using a tooth brush. An act that would not be recognized as abuse in any court. People have got to distinguish between the ideals of Islam and the impure motives and impulses of adherents. If Ayaan was wise she would have joined forces with and helped Muslim women who have already been championing women’s rights in the Islamic world instead of setting back their work with this tacky film.
My heart go’s out to Ayaan Hirsi Ali for her courageous stand in telling her story and the story of many woman who cannot or willnot take a stand.
I admire Ayaan Hirsi Ali and I’m looking forward to Submission Part’2 Stay Strong ang I’ll be there for you any time,your friend and sister for life.