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[[File:Ayaan-Hirsi-Ali.JPG|thumbnail|right|125px|Ayaan Hirsi Ali]]

[[File:Ayaan-Hirsi-Ali.JPG|thumbnail|right|125px|Ayaan Hirsi Ali]]

'''Ayaan Hirsi Ali''' (born ''Ayaan Hirsi Magan'') is a [[Netherlands|Dutch]] [[feminist]] from [[Somalia|Somali]] ancestry, political speaker, and author of several books. [[Time magazine]] named her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005.

'''Ayaan Hirsi Ali''' (born ''Ayaan Hirsi Magan'') is an [[American]]-[[Netherlands|Dutch]] [[feminist]] from [[Somalia|Somali]] ancestry, political speaker, and author of several books. [[Time magazine]] named her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005.

==Literary works==

==Literary works==

She has written an autobiography, ''Infidel'' in which she recounts her life story and how she ceased believing in [[Islam]] and became an [[atheist]], a set of essays entitled ''The Caged Virgin'', further discussing the role of women in Islam, and a recent book ''Nomad'' in which she further recounts her life story and discusses how best to address the difficulty facing Western communities in which [[Muslim]] refugees have settled.  

She has written an autobiography, ''Infidel'' in which she recounts her life story and how she ceased believing in [[Islam]] and became an [[atheist]], a set of essays entitled ''The Caged Virgin'', further discussing the role of women in Islam, and a recent book ''Nomad'' in which she further recounts her life story and discusses how best to address the difficulty facing Western communities in which [[Muslim]] refugees have settled.  

==Personal life==

==Personal life==

Born in 1969 in [[Somalia]], the second of three children born to the second wife of [[Hirsi Magan Isse]], a Somalian leader known for his organized opposition to [[Siad Barre]], she was raised there and with her mother and two siblings (a sister and brother) resided for a time in several other countries, most notably [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Ethiopia]] and [[Kenya]], before fleeing to the [[Netherlands]] in order to escape an arranged [[marriage]], she currently lives in the United States.  

Born in 1969 in [[Somalia]], the second of three children born to the second wife of [[Hirsi Magan Isse]], a Somalian leader known for his organized opposition to [[Siad Barre]], she was raised there and with her mother and two siblings (a sister and brother) resided for a time in several other countries, most notably [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Ethiopia]] and [[Kenya]], before fleeing to the [[Netherlands]] in order to escape an arranged [[marriage]], she currently lives in the United States.  

==Asylum==

==Asylum==

When applying for [[asylum]], she changed her last name from ''Magan'' to ''Ali'' which was one her of Grandfather's names. She was granted Dutch citizenship, learned the language quickly, and worked as a translator for recently arrived Somalians. She applied for and was accepted to [[Leiden]] University, where she earned a degree in [[political science]]. She then obtained a seat in the Dutch [[Parliament]], the Tweede Kamer.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4985636.stm</ref> Her Dutch citizenship was rescinded some years later due to the fact that she gave a different name and birthdate on her application for asylum, and she resigned from Parliament. Shortly after this, Hirsi Ali moved to the United States.

When applying for [[asylum]], she changed her last name from ''Magan'' to ''Ali'' which was one her of Grandfather's names. She was granted Dutch citizenship, learned the language quickly, and worked as a translator for recently arrived Somalians. She applied for and was accepted to [[Leiden]] University, where she earned a degree in [[political science]]. She then obtained a seat in the Dutch [[Parliament]], the Tweede Kamer.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4985636.stm</ref> Her Dutch citizenship was rescinded some years later due to the fact that she gave a different name and birthdate on her application for asylum, and she resigned from Parliament. Shortly after this, Hirsi Ali moved to the United States.

==Beliefs==

==Beliefs==

Although she spent most of her early life as a devout Muslim, after the attacks on the [[World Trade Center]]s in [[America]] on September 11, she re-examined her beliefs. She had become disenchanted with her religion, and saw contradictions in it. After reading ''Atheistisch Manifest'' (Atheist Manifesto) authored by Herman Philipse, a professor of philosophy at [[Utrecht University]], she became an outspoken [[atheism|atheist]]. Although an atheist, she states that she considers the influence of the Christian community to be a positive force and one solution to helping Muslim refugees adapt.

Although she spent most of her early life as a devout Muslim, after the attacks on the [[World Trade Center]]s in [[America]] on September 11, she re-examined her beliefs. She had become disenchanted with her religion, and saw contradictions in it. After reading ''Atheistisch Manifest'' (Atheist Manifesto) authored by Herman Philipse, a professor of philosophy at [[Utrecht University]], she became an outspoken [[atheism|atheist]]. Although an atheist, she states that she considers the influence of the Christian community to be a positive force and one solution to helping Muslim refugees adapt.

==Activism==

==Activism==

After making a 10-minute short film with noted Dutch Film Maker [[Theo Van Gogh]], entitled [[Submission (film)|''"Submission"'']], a [[fatwa]] (proclamation of death) was issued on her, and Theo Van Gogh was killed. Henceforth, she does not travel to Muslim countries without police protection. She now resides and works in the United States. In 2011 she married British historian and fellow atheist Niall Ferguson <ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8770965/Henry-Kissinger-watches-historian-Niall-Ferguson-marry-Ayaan-Hirsi-Ali-under-a-fatwa.html</ref> and in 2012 gave birth to a son.<ref>http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2011/12/ayaan_hirsi_ali_gives_birth_to.php</ref>

After making a 10-minute short film with noted Dutch Film Maker [[Theo Van Gogh]], entitled [[Submission (film)|''"Submission"'']], a [[fatwa]] (proclamation of death) was issued on her, and Theo Van Gogh was killed. Henceforth, she does not travel to Muslim countries without police protection. She now resides and works in the United States. In 2011 she married British historian and fellow atheist Niall Ferguson <ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8770965/Henry-Kissinger-watches-historian-Niall-Ferguson-marry-Ayaan-Hirsi-Ali-under-a-fatwa.html</ref> and in 2012 gave birth to a son.<ref>http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2011/12/ayaan_hirsi_ali_gives_birth_to.php</ref>

[[Category:Atheists]]

[[Category:Atheists]]

[[Category:Dutch Authors]]

[[Category:Dutch Authors]]