Hirsi Ali's Infidel is one of the most exciting and provocative
autobiographies I have read in a long time.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali was born in a small village in Somalia to the
family of Ali. Her father, a Muslim, was in many ways unusual for
his time. He wanted his daughters to be educated and he did not
agree with many of the traditional Muslim ideas for young girls.
Unfortunately, he was gone for most of Ayaan's childhood. In his
absence, she experienced her childhood under the strict and
watchful eye of her domineering grandmother.
"Cleansed" at a young age, she was set on the path of becoming an
observant, modest, second-class citizen. She was, after all,
female. But Ayaan was born with an innate desire to think, to
question and to challenge. The essence of her spirit was fiercely
independent.
Hirsi Ali takes us from her Somalian roots through to Saudi Arabia.
There, on the brink of womanhood, she defies her parents'
determination to have her wed the man of their choice. She flees to
Holland where she examines and resolves the conflicting traditions
and messages that rest within her soul. Denouncing her religion as
backward and hugely discriminatory toward women, she begins
bringing her message to the public. She comes up against cultural
conflicts within Dutch society; is branded an infidel by Islamic
religious leaders across the Muslim world; experiences the murder
of her work partner Theo Van Gogh; is the subject of a fatwa; is
elected to, and thrown out of, Parliament; and yet, she is not only
unbowed, she becomes stronger, more clear thinking and more
determined.
Hirsi Ali is a woman to be reckoned with and may be the first truly
global, 21st century feminist. Infidel is her incredible story - in
her own words and her own voice - told with passion, intelligence
and courage. The world will hear more from her without a doubt.
This book is powerful, compelling and engaging from the first page
to the last.