Somalia
ISBN-13: 9781416538592
Pub. Date: 02/06/2007
e-Book nook
Author: Ayaan Hirst Ali
Synopsis:
Biography
Readers with an eye on European politics will recognize Ali as the Somali-born member of the Dutch parliament who faced death threats after collaborating on a film about domestic violence against Muslim women with controversial director Theo van Gogh (who was himself assassinated). Even before then, her attacks on Islamic culture as "brutal, bigoted, [and] fixated on controlling women" had generated much controversy. In this suspenseful account of her life and her internal struggle with her Muslim faith, she discusses how these views were shaped by her experiences amid the political chaos of Somalia and other African nations, where she was subjected to genital mutilation and later forced into an unwanted marriage. While in transit to her husband in Canada, she decided to seek asylum in the Netherlands, where she marveled at the polite policemen and government bureaucrats. Ali is up-front about having lied about her background in order to obtain her citizenship, which led to further controversy in early 2006, when an immigration official sought to deport her and triggered the collapse of the Dutch coalition government. Apart from feelings of guilt over van Gogh's death, her voice is forceful and unbowed—like Irshad Manji, she delivers a powerful feminist critique of Islam informed by a genuine understanding of the religion.
My view: currentely reading
We read this book at my mother's suggestion for one of our book clubs. I was absolutely appalled at the way the women/girls were treated. I couldn't even finish it, as it seemed a bit self-indulgent in the middle, but Ali surely got her point across of the fanatacism of the Muslims. It's terrifying to me, because I can see America becoming more and more tolerant of them~as we espouse freedom for everyone~and then it could be very well too late.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to hear from you again, Sylvie. Thanks for visiting my blog, and I'm glad to see you're still posting.
I also see An Education in your sidebar. I LOVED that film!!!
Thank-you Bellezza :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right in your comment.
I am still here just very busy with Human Rights and violations taking place in Iran.
I can't immagine not reading :))
I also loved the movie AN EDUCATION.
Will visit you soon again, I love your blog, so elegant and sexy
Hugs and kisses
Sylvie
You might be interested in who is funding the regimes and protecting those that are being allowed to commit the civil rights violations.
ReplyDeletehttp://rideriantieconomicwarfaretrisiii.blogspot.com/
By the way your picture looks very pretty.
Rider I
Thank you for all the hard work.