Discussion Questions
1. Hirsi Ali tells us that this book is "the story of what I
have experienced, what I have seen, and why I think the way I do"
(page xii). Which experiences does she highlight as being integral
to forming her current views on Islam?
2. "No eyes silently accused me of being a whore. No lecherous
men called me to bed with them. No Brotherhood members threatened
me with hellfire. I felt safe; I could follow my curiosity" (page
185). This passage refers to Hirsi Ali''s initial impression of
walking the streets in Germany. What other significant differences
between the West and Islamic Africa did she observe during her
first days in Europe? Upon arriving in Holland, what were her
initial impressions of the Dutch people and the Dutch government?
Did these change significantly as she lived there
3. How did Hirsi Ali''s immigration experience and integration
into Dutch society differ from those of other Somalians?
4. Discuss the differences that Hirsi Ali noticed between
raising children in Muslim countries and raising children in the
West. In particular, what did she notice about Johanna''s
parenting? How were Muslim parents different from Dutch parents in
their instructions to their children on the playground? (see page
245).
5. In Hirsi Ali''s words, "a Muslim girl does not make her own
decisions or seek control. She is trained to be docile. If you are
a Muslim girl, you disappear, until there is almost no you inside
you" (page 94). How do the three generations of women in Hirsi
Ali''s family differ in their willingness to "submit" to this
doctrine?
6. As seen through Hirsi Ali''s eyes, what factors contributed
to Haweya''s death? How might members of her family describe events
differently?
7. Although Hirsi Ali mostly refrains from criticizing her
father, she publishes the personal letter he wrote her upon her
divorce. Why do you think she included this letter? Were you
surprised by any other intimate details of her life that she
revealed in the book?
8. The events of September 11th caused Hirsi Ali to reread
sections of the Quran and to evaluate the role of violence in
Islam. Consequently, her interpretation of September 11th differs
from those around her. What doe she conclude? Do you agree with her
analysis?
9. On page 295, Hirsi Ali lists the three goals she wished to
accomplish by joining Parliament. By the book''s end has she
accomplished all three? How did her views of the Dutch government
change over time?
10. Examine Hirsi Ali''s relationship with her brother. How did
Mahad''s and Abeh''s reactions to her political work differ?
11. Throughout her political career, Hirsi Ali has made several
bold statements challenging the Muslim world. In your opinion, were
these declarations worth the risk?
12. Has this book changed the way you view Islam? According to
Hirsi Ali, is Islam compatible with Western values and culture? Do
you agree with her?
Enhancing Your Book Club
1. Visit the website for the American Enterprise Institute for
Public Policy Research, the Washington D.C. think tank that Hirsi
Ali joined upon leaving Holland. Take a look at the articles that
Hirsi Ali has posted, and bring one to share. The website is
located at www.aei.org.
2. Go to www.youtube.com to watch a version of Theo van Gogh and
Hirsi Ali''s film, Submission: Part One.
3. Research the Quran before your group meeting and choose a
passage to examine together.
4. Take a look on the web for Hirsi Ali''s most recent
statements about freedom of speech, women''s rights, or religion in
schools. (For example, in April 2006 she publicly stated her
support of the Danish cartoonists'' rights to publish images of
Muhammad.) Bring in a copy of any interviews you find and share
with your group.