The Mighty Sparrow: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Ayaan, of the Darod clan, a Harti, a Macherten, an Osman Mahamud, of the consort called the Higher Shoulder, a Magan.
She was born to a nomad family that walked out of the deserts of war torn Somalia. From the first days that words formed on her lips her grandmother forced her to memorize her father’s lineage, going back eight hundred years to the beginning of her clan, the Darod. The names she commits to memory come spilling out when she meets a stranger who claims kinship of the Darod clan, they trace their families back until names meet, so that the vine that spreads comes together yet again, and renews the sinews of family. The lives of every Somalian are beholden to the clans they are born to: the nomad clans of the Isaq and the Darod, or the farmers of the Hawiye clan or the lowly Sab. When Ayaan was growing up Somalia was ruled by the Soviet backed dictator Said Barre, who jailed her father Abeh and tried to wipe out the tribal network that criss crossed throughout the population, but her family relied on the Darod network to feed them and clothe them. War chased them from their home to countries like Saudi Arabia, the home of true Islam, and then to Kenya. She watched her beloved Mogidishu fall, riven by clan hatred and Said’s desperate fight against the nascent Muslim Brotherhood, a new Islamic movement that promised peace through a pure, ancient understanding of the Koran. She escaped the African desert as a bride forced into marriage, flown off to Germany to meet her new husband in Canada. How ironic it is that the vehicle of her salvation was a Islamic arrangement she loathed.
Ayaan suffered through Islam as many girls do. She was “made pure” by having her genitals cut out. Her days were often spent trapped in her family’s house, not allowed to walk outside without a male relative accompanying her. In the madrassas they taught her submission, to withdraw into herself so that she could heed the orders without question of the men in her family and the man that would take her as his wife one day. The Koran bid her to do so, she was told, and to do anything other than submit would dishonor the males of her clan, a sin beyond forgiveness. The Koran taught her hatred of Jews and the American infidels, who were the reason for everything and anything that went wrong. The Koran taught her that women were created with wiles that led men to sin, and so a life lived inside a black Hidjab was expected. She tried to submit. She even wore the Hidjab and prayed five times a day. But Ayaan had too many questions that her teachers could not answer. It led her to seek those answers herself. Ayaan came to understand that above all, Islam was a patriarchal system that made women slaves of men, and men slaves of Allah.
“We Muslims had been taught to define life on earth as a passage, a test that precedes real life in the Hereafter. In that test, everyone should ideally live in a manner resembling, as closely as possible, the followers of the Prophet. Didn’t this inhibit investment in improving daily life? Was innovation therefore forbidden to Muslims? Were human rights, women’s rights all foreign to Islam?
By declaring our Prophet infallible and not permitting ourselves to question him, we Muslims had set up a static tyranny. The Prophet Muhammad attempted to legislate every aspect of life. By adhering to his rules of what is permitted and what is forbidden, we Muslims suppressed the freedom to think for ourselves and to act as we chose. We froze the moral outlook of billions of people into the mind-set of the Arab desert in the seventh century. We were not just servants of Allah, we were slaves.”
When Ayaan Hirsi Ali fought for her freedom in Holland, she was fighting for more than the freedom to choose a life for herself. She was fighting to free women from an endless indentured servitude sanctioned by a God to the benefit of men. But a patriarchal society harms men as well, forcing them to abide an honor system that distorts their relationship with the men and women around them, normalizing the darkest streaks that run through human nature: aggression inflamed by a lust for sexual dominance. Women become property, men become thugs and honor becomes a soiled flag dripping with blood. In this culture, no one is free, and everyone is ruled by fear.
“The Prophet did teach us a lot of good things. I found it spiritually appealing to believe in a Hereafter. My life was enriched by the Quranic injunctions to be compassionate and show charity to others. There were times when I, like many other Muslims, found it too complicated to deal with the whole issue of war against the unbelievers. Most Muslims never delve into theology, and we rarely read the Quran; we are taught it in Arabic, which most Muslims can’t speak. As a result, most people think that Islam is about peace. It is from these people, honest and kind, that the fallacy has arisen that Islam is peaceful and tolerant.
But I could not longer avoid seeing the totalitarianism, the pure moral framework that is Islam. It regulates every detail of life and subjugates free will. True Islam, as a rigid belief system and a moral framework, leads to cruelty. The inhuman act of those nineteen hijackers was the logical outcome of this detailed system for regulating human behavior. Their world is divided between “Us” and “Them” - if you don’t accept Islam, you should perish.”
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is the Somalian Oriana Fallaci, earning her reputation speaking out against oppression of women and the cruelty of Islam. Her words have earned her enemies both in the Muslim community and the liberal establishment that blame her for the violent reactions that follow her. But Ayaan’s life is proof enough, for the reaction most Muslims leaders have to those who criticize their religion as violent and tyrannical is to call for violence and curbs on freedom. She wonders when Islam will mature as Christianity and Judaism have, when millions of Muslims will be set free to think for themselves, to create a life free from traditions that are “rigid and inhumane” so the the values of “progress and modernity” will thrive. It is tough to have hope when her challenges are met with the murder of her friend Theo van Gogh by a Muslim killer who pinned a death threat to her with a knife through Theo’s chest. There is no humor in the irony that the monsters she writes of respond with acts of monstrosity. Her life has been a testament to the fear that haunts the covered woman and forces the young son to defend his honor, and it hunts Ayaan now, thousands of miles from the sands of Somalia. It crosses oceans and spans mountains. It is brought into our cities and introduced into our schools. It is the Quran - the angry words of Allah brought to us through the seventh century prophet Muhammed.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali survives now surrounded by twenty-four hour guard, a necessary precaution in peril as the government of Holland is seeking to end her protection. It’s not because the threats have ceased, or because Muslims have found the courage to stand up to the murderers in their midst, but because they say the expense is too high for the protection of one voice rudely smashing the multicultural code of silence that ignores the imported hatred for Western values and Western freedoms. She has been forced to flee Holland to America to live in hiding. She is far from the warm earth of Somalia or the white walls of Saudi Arabia, where freedom means subjugation in body and soul. American is where Ayaan Hirsi Ali calls home now. What a great compliment that is. Pray for her that she finds the peace and safety every soul deserves, and remember that we, as Americans, have built our legacy by speaking out for the oppressed and the unfree worldwide. Welcome home, Ayaan.
MORE: The 11 minute movie Theo van Gogh died for can be seen here: Submission
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What a great article! Thank you Evrvigint for championing the cause of this remarkable woman. If we are to even stand a chance of winning this war against our democratic culture we must listen to the voices of these courageous "apostates". It is from the words of brave and eloquent women like Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Brigitte Gabriel and others who have lived within the horrors of Islam that the truth will finally be revealed. God bless her and protect her. Where are those loquaciuous feminists now? How can they continue to ignore the most aggregious assaults on Women's Rights in human history? Where is that normally so-easily-provoked outrage? Where are you NOW?
Thanks Roger - Ayaan is a fighter that the left for some reason ignores, and who knows why? She's an athiest, black, feminist. Could it be because she fights against the same enemy as George Bush? Can't the left put aside their hatred of the president for the greater good of fighting against real oppression?
You ask: "Can't the left put aside their hatred of the president for the greater good…?" Actions speak louder than words — and their answer is clearly NO. The activist left will sacrifice anyone and anything in their fanatical crusade to defeat GW and the Repubs.
A fascinating woman, whose growth arc has brought beyond the threshold of silence. She's been well known amongst women's groups for awhile. She is widely supported among women's groups. http://www.aauw.org/About/international_corner/up... Suggested Reading, Women of The World (put together by AAUW International Affairs Committee in July 2007. This is a very interesting list, and I've read some of the books on here. http://www.oprah.com/xm/mwilliamson/200704/mwilli... Marianne Williamson on Oprah & Friends Radio http://www.wifp.org/booknotes.html#i Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press
Sorry, but that first link doesn't work. And for me, siting one appearance on Oprah, and her appearance with some other women's issues authors on Booknotes is hardly proof that she is "widely supported by women's groups". Where's N.O.W.? Where are all those loud voices that we heard all throughout the sixties and seventies. I'm sorry, but I didn't have any trouble hearing from them before, but I've heard precious little lately from American women's groups coming out loudly against Islam. What I have heard and listened to closely, are the courageous voices of individual women like Brigitte Gabriel. But I don't know what happened to those militant feminists. To me, they seeem strangely silent on these issues, Then, of course , I'm no expert on women's groups. PS: On that same Oprah link there's a link to a Muslim woman preaching "Why can't we all just get along ? " nonsense.
Has anyone ever heard Hillary speak out against Islam and the way they treat their women?
Now THAT'S what I'm talking about. LOL
Just a test of this cool comment system.
Roger, Bill Clinton was the greatest detriment that the feminist movement ever faced… his actions and their silence wiped away decades of hard work and forever damaged their creditability. When the degenerate president was running around buck wild molesting and raping women… they remained quiet. Feminists became marginalized and their silence became defining. Shame on the feminist movement for placing politics over the well being women!
I wholeheartedly agree, Uncle Seth. I really meant it when I stated earlier that I wasn't an expert on women's issues — I'm not. But, even to a laymen like myself, when it comes to condemning Islam for its brtutal treatment of females, the silence of the "women's groups" has been deafening.
Militant feminists don't even support the groups I'm referring to! Good lord, they won't even entertain going to a meeting, will in fact, decry these same women for having bridge parties as being "old school," while ignoring the fact that they raise millions each year for programs that impact positively on women & girls. In fact, I hardly see militant feminists as being organized to step up behind any one, they're so busy Code Pinking and trying desperately hard to be PC, which does not include backing someone who is dissing the Koran (though they themselves will dis the Bible). But she has been known among many of the international and national women's groups that work on educational and economic empowerment and human rights. The support is not about "agreeing" with her in a way that you imagine to be necessary. It's about recognizing that this is someone who could change the course of women. And for her message of truth and liberation, many support her. It might be putting her on those seemingly insignificant to you WIFP book lists, or even a mention on Oprah. But you really can't ignore Oprah. One mention on her show, and your book, your message automatically has a gold sticker on it. (Even it if's the most abhorrent book ever written, which isn't the case in this book). It means her message will get out there. There are those of us who'd appreciate it if she'd put Ayaan Hirsi Ali on her show, and one can't assume that she hasn't or isn't trying. If she could get Cormac McCarthy, she can provide the protection Ms. Ali needs and bring her to Chicago. As for WIFP, they're a good organization. They run on a shoestring, but a lot of them do.
Has anyone watched the video "Submission" I linked at the bottom? A man died for making that film. Take 12 minutes and watch it, then tell me what you think…
Hello again Waitress Polly. One of my best friends had his book mentioned on Oprah and ended up with a Holywood contract. I would be the last person to try to denigrate Oprah's personal power. Sometimes when I make statements I'm pretty certain that I'm right, other times, I'm really hoping to be proven wrong. That's the case with my statement about women's groups. If they are indeed speaking out against the outrages of Islam's treatment of women, then that's wonderful and I'm very happy to be proven wrong about this. It's just that I haven't heard any of this speaking out. Maybe I'm just not listening to the right voices. Then again….
I just watched it. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to see this remarkable film. It touched me deeply, especially given the fate of it's maker. I'm sorry, but I really hate Islam.
I thought I just posted my reply, but I don't see it. I finally got to watch that video and it was extremely moving — especially considering the fate of it's creator. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to see it.
Roger Gardner watched a movie, and became an Islamic scholar and comparitive religion specialist? Its kinda like becoming a general in the military after watching Saving Private Ryan Anything to hate eh Roger? Don't bother trying to figure out why your country is hated not only in the middle east but in other parts of the world, (ahem ever heard of economic imperialism Sir? ). Here's a debate you might want to consider watching. The god of the modern neo-conservative movement (Richard Perle) with Noam Chomsky. You decide who has the facts and who doesn't, hows that for honour?
Noam Chomsky is an ass, and anyone who idolizes him is not far behind. I guess that's why it's predictable that you would cry "imperialism" in a discussion like this - it reveals that you know nothing about history or 'economics.' Richard Perle is the "God" of neo-conservatism? Put down the bong, Mavic. The neo-conservative movement is wide and deep, and doesn't presume to be lead by a God. Unlike Noam Chomsky, Grand Kook, leading the Democratic wing of America hating leftists - he and his followers revel in their insipid hatred for anything American. I was forced to read the writings of that ingrate in college. Trying to scrape a lucid thought from that bitter mind is like trying to convince a 9/11 troofer that Bush had nothing to do with murdering Americans on that September day. Hey Mavic - you're a troofer, right? Of course you are!
Just watched it, rather interesting… Does that apply to all forms of Islam? I am sure the extreme Islam followers and the moderate Islam followers may be a bit different and may have variations in blief/rules. I am no expert in Islam so I rather not argue either way.
Most Muslims have never read the Quran - they are taught to memorize it in Arabic and not question what it says. This leads to unthinking adherence to a Quran they only understand through the Imams that teach it to them. Islam doesn't mature until we get between the Imam and the followers he leads into Jihad. Moderate Islam cowers under the threat of Wahabbi Islam. We must take the threats coming from Wahabbists Muslims seriously, while embracing those muslims that want peace and tolerance to prevail.
No Mavic. In reply to your condescending stupidity, Roger Gardner read over 600 books on Western civilization, then read an additional 50 books on Islam, then watched a video. If you're going to attack someone, at least you should make sure you know whom you're attacking. I suggest you go back and read some more Chomsky to prepare for your next anti-American rant.
Not to start a battle or anything but WHO did he rape or molest?