Changes

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 Her Dutch citizenship was rescinded some years later due to the fact that she gave a different name and birthdate on her application for asylum, and she resigned from Parliament.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 Her Dutch citizenship was rescinded some years later due to the fact that she gave a different name and birthdate on her application for asylum, and she resigned from Parliament.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==

== Former 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.