[Dean's World] Mary Madigan: Hirsi Ali and extremism

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by Mary Madigan:
Hirsi Ali and extremism
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1146767871.shtml


   On Sunday, [1]Judith, Jeff and I went to hear Ayaan Hirsi Ali speak at
   [2]PEN's 'World Voices' tour.

   The basic points of the talk: Ayaan Hirsi Ali told New York Liberals
   to respect their enlightenment values. Interviewer Gourevitch wondered
   what was to be done with this difficult woman. The audience responded
   by giving her a five minute ovation. I'm surprised we didn't light
   candles and do the wave.

   Speaking for myself, we weren't just clapping because we agreed with
   her or because we admired her bravery. We were clapping because she
   could express feelings that we no longer can. Like Wafa Sultan and
   many pro-democracy activists in the Middle East, Hirsi Ali understands
   and loves liberal and enlightenment values. Ms. Ali tried to
   communicate that love and passion to us, but even the basically
   sympathetic audience didn't really get it. Some people giggled
   uncomfortably when she mentioned freedom and the joys of owning
   property; they were like a bunch of junior high-schoolers listening to
   passionate love song - they wanted to hear more, but the subject was
   so embarrassing.

   The best surprise: Salman Rushdie, author of the Satanic Verses, sat
   near the stage. Early on, the soft-voiced Ali confessed that as a
   young Muslim, she protested in favor of his death. Later she admitted
   that she had wanted to burn his book. "Not just the book" he quipped.

   Ali describes herself as a Muslim atheist. She speaks out in favor of
   bringing the enlightenment to the Muslim world. Like Irshad Manji, her
   message is that Muslims need to question the authority of their Imams
   and of Mohammed. Muslims need to think for themselves.

   She said that there are many Muslims and former Muslims out there who
   believe the same thing - but they're not willing to say so out loud,
   because they fear the wrath that the Islamists will stir up. She hopes
   that the West would defend their own values and the lives of the
   whistle-blowers of the Muslim world.

   That is basically the message that has prompted death threats,
   accusations of Islamaphobia and extremism against this soft-voiced,
   elegant and reasonable woman.

   hirsiali

   Unfortunately, we've gotten so used to living with the
   kill-all-apostates brigade - their message often raises fewer eyebrows
   than Ali's.

   Honestly - does Hirsi Ali's message sound extreme to you?

   [More details from the New York Sun, linked to by [3]Atlas ]

References

   1. http://www.keshertalk.com/archives/2006/05/ayaanhirsiali.php#comments
   2. http://pen.org/page.php/prmID/1272
   3. http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/05/ayaan_hirsi_ali.html