Originally published by The Wall Street Journal, written by Tunku Varadarajan; April 8, 2017
Stanford, Calif.
The woman sitting opposite me, dressed in a charcoal pantsuit and a duck-egg-blue turtleneck, can’t go anywhere, at any time of day, without a bodyguard. She is softspoken and irrepressibly sane, but also—in the eyes of those who would rather cut her throat than listen to what she says—the most dangerous foe of Islamist extremism in the Western world. We are in a secure room at a sprawling university, but the queasiness in my chest takes a while to go away. I’m talking to a woman with multiple fatwas on her head, someone who has a greater chance of meeting a violent end than anyone I’ve met (Salman Rushdie included). And yet she’s wholly poised, spectacles pushed back to rest atop her head like a crown, dignified and smiling under siege.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, born in Somalia in 1969, is Islam’s most eloquent apostate. She has just published a slim book that seeks to add a new four-letter word—dawa—to the West’s vocabulary. It describes the ceaseless, world-wide ideological campaign waged by Islamists as a complement to jihad. It is, she says, the greatest threat facing the West and “could well bring about the end of the European Union as we know it.” America is far from immune, and her book, “The Challenge of Dawa,” is an explicit attempt to persuade the Trump administration to adopt “a comprehensive anti-dawa strategy before it is too late.”
Ms. Hirsi Ali has come a long way from the days when she—“then a bit of a hothead”— declared Islam to be incapable of reform, while also calling on Muslims to convert or abandon religion altogether. That was a contentious decade ago. Today she believes that Islam can indeed be reformed, that it must be reformed, and that it can be reformed only by Muslims themselves—by those whom she calls “Mecca Muslims.” These are the faithful who prefer the gentler version of Islam that she says was “originally promoted by Muhammad” before 622. That was the year he migrated to Medina and the religion took a militant and unlovely ideological turn.
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5 Comments
Aayan may be persecuted by her and our enemies, but she should take comfort that she is definitely not alone and that there are millions standing with her. I am glad she met with you at Stanford. There are are many wise leaders and writers there and it is fitting you would invite her there.
I am glad she has a bodyguard, but maybe someday she may fell comfortable enough to meet with her many supporters. Bridgette Gabriel has spoken with thousands of Americans that realize the threat Islamic beliefs and practices pose. Aayan should do the same. But I respect her priority to keep as safe as possible. I would do the same. I realize my wish to meet and speak with her is selfish, so I will be content to continue reading her brilliant newsletters and books and silently support her as she speaks out on important issues. Keep up the great work. Aayan is truly loved by many. God bless her.
I admire and repect you very much, and hope to read ” The Challenge of Dawa”. Right now I’ve almost finished a book by Leo Hohmann entitled ” Stealth Invasion Muslim Conquest though Immigration and Resettlement”. If I had to pick one book that I feel every American should read, this would be the one. Compelling. Alarming. Makes me feel like I ought to step up and do something to help. But what? Our country needs you, Ms Hirsi Ali, to continue speaking out the truth. I would hope that Donald Trump would speak with you directly. I feel most Americans are clueless in regards to the threat Islam and Muslim immigration pose to our country and our way of life.
you are the best ayaan…great work you did it…but you know what you will never be alone i am sure that there are
lot of people who loves you ayaan and i am one of them…please keep going on.
kamal
Well done my dear beloved sister Ayan Ali Hersi, I just want appreciate you the great job you are doing. i believe you are not just fighting for the westerners women only, you are also fighting to free our country and our people from the Arab doctrine and the rest of the world. You don’t have to carry your all live with you alone any more. We are standing with you, walking with you and also supporting you in this impossible/possible journey.
Bravo Ayann! I admire your courage and wish there were more people like you. I read your books and i was very touched by them and by you strenght. Do keep writing we want to know how the battle is progressing. My thoughts and good wishes are with you. Karen