Black conservative in Netherlands Parliament challenges Islam head on

Ramblings' Journal ^ | 6.7.04 | Michael King

[mhking]

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Nigerian-born member of Parliament in the Netherlands, has strong views on Islam, much as many do in this country.

She was raised as a Muslim but has recently become agnostic. She has an incredible command of the Dutch langue and is a sharp debater. She abhors woolly, placating rhetoric, which is so typical of Dutch politics. According to a recent poll she ranks second among the most popular politicians in Holland. And her political star is still rising. Yet her political message stirs a lot of controversy, especially among Muslim radicals.

It was the criticism by the late Pim Fortuyn (the Dutch politician who was killed by an animal rights activists) of the impact of Islam on Dutch society which sharpened her awareness of the threat of Muslim radicalism. Fortuyn openly qualified the Islam as a backward religion and Ayaan Hirsi Ali shares this view. When she was still in the socialist party she wanted to put the issue high on the political agenda. But the party did not support her view, because it was afraid that it would play into Fortuyn's hands. Ayaan Hirsi Ali is especially critical of the lack of tolerance for dissenting opinions among Muslims, as well as their oppression of women.

According to Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the emotions incited by her statements, especially among radical Muslims, underscores the state of the Islam. (Radical) Muslims are incapable of self-reflection. Consequently, any critical remark is perceived as an offense.

Ali, who would most certainly be considered conservative in this country, has her share of enemies, thanks to her views.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a member of Parliament, recently offered a guy a knife and invited him to stab her when he told her he hoped the "Mojahedin" would kill her due to her sharp and very public criticisms of Islam (he backed down).

She continues to receive death threats from those who oppose her views. More recently, she's had to resort to bodyguards and other protective measures, especially in light of the assassination of Fortuyn, along with continued overt and subtle threats to her life.

Hirsi Ali — who once wrote Islamic prophet Mohammed was a pervert for taking a 12-year-old girl as one of his wives — has frequently been the target of death threats.

The politician wrote in her latest column that she often received death threats by phone and in the mail, but this incident made the biggest impression on her.

Two years ago, she had to hide out in the US for months and these days she is accompanied by bodyguards when in public.

I sometimes wonder about the moonbats here and whether they'd resort to violence to maintain their stranglehold on the minds of black America, if they were ever faced with a substantial challenge to their mentality of collective victimhood.

[cvq3842]

Thanks.

[cvq3842]

Thanks.

[rarebird]

To answer your question, 2% of black America is Muslim. However, it's the community's fastest growing religion.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali was born and raised in SOMALIA, not Nigeria. However, sharia applies there as well (even more so than in Nigeria, which has a much larger Christian population that's fighting it). However, she fled to Canada earlier in her life to avoid an arranged marriage by her strict Islamic parents. She is a political scientist by profession (in addition to her Parliament duties).

We could use a few Hirsi Alis in this country...

[eleni121]

I taught three female Nigerian immigrants recently and was astounded at their militantly angry verbal assaults on Islam and muslims in the Nigerian North. I was heartened to hear that many Muslims are converting to Christianity in Nigeria.

There is no way that any Muslims in my class would "mess with" these gals!

[ValerieUSA]

Brave woman. I expect she's having a big impact on the Dutch youth.

[Sender]

Black woman conservative who used to be a Muslim...that's the worst offense in moondom to leave the faith and become an apostate. Even us infidels are above her on the moon scale since we just haven't been assimilated yet.

She was a Muslim and she left. That is poison to Islam. She should be very watchful, the Muslim world will come for her.

[rarebird]

Note that the guy who approached her with the "I hope jihadists kill you" threat said, after she handed him the knife and said he should try doing it himself, said that he wanted to kill her but was afraid to go to jail. Hmm..

[wingnutx]

Ping. Ping. Ping.

[cookcounty]

"To answer your question, 2% of black America is Muslim. However, it's the community's fastest growing religion. "

It's been hailed as the "fastest-growing religion among blacks" for 50 years now. Maybe we should take another look at all this "fastest-growing" talk. Maybe it's the "fastest-talking" religion.

[cookcounty]

"I taught three female Nigerian immigrants recently and was astounded at their militantly angry verbal assaults on Islam and muslims in the Nigerian North. I was heartened to hear that many Muslims are converting to Christianity in Nigeria.

There is no way that any Muslims in my class would "mess with" these gals!

Yes, it isn't all a one-way street, by any means. Many turn away from Islam every day (though they tend to be discreet about it).

[Indie]

WOW! More hope! Looks like Holland will make my "ok to travel and spend US money" list, unlike most others!
This lady has nads!! I love it!

[Pharmboy]

Good for him...Niew Amsterdam Bump!

[Pharmboy]

Oops...I meant good for HER!!

[knighthawk]

It was the criticism by the late Pim Fortuyn (the Dutch politician who was killed by an animal rights activists) of the impact of Islam on Dutch society which sharpened her awareness of the threat of Muslim radicalism. Fortuyn openly qualified the Islam as a backward religion and Ayaan Hirsi Ali shares this view.

Islam-list

If people want on or off this list, please let me know.

[cyborg]

bttt

[cyborg]

bttt

[Travis McGee]

"Moonbats!" LOL, I'll remember that one!

[optik_b]

A very unique woman, very brave. I hope the dutch protect her with the proper security.

[AndrewC]

The headline actually should have read: Black WOMAN conservative

I am a little cautious about what the Dutch would consider conservative.

When she was still in the socialist party she wanted to put the issue high on the political agenda. But the party did not support her view, because it was afraid that it would play into Fortuyn's hands.