Question: Where do you see yourself fitting in?
Transcript:We as Muslim women now . . . When I was a Muslim woman, we were brought up to believe in our own submission – submission to the will of God, submission to the will of your parents, submission to the will of your husband. And submission to the will of the husband is absolute except when he asks you to forsake Allah. Now if we have been indoctrinated to believe that, then that’s how we act. That’s how we behave. But not all of us . . . and that’s I think what’s so fascinating about the human mind – is that you cannot enslave the human entirely. Many of us have been exposed to other ideas. We have our own personalities, seek freedom. We can’t, I think, wake up to the programming and de-program ourselves. And if we become aware of the fact that what we are programming our kids from generation to generation is repressive, we can decide not to do that and to take on alternative ideas. We can be, for instance . . . We can wake up to the fact that the God that says in Chapter 4 verse 34 . . . tells the husband “you have the right to beat your woman”, is the same God that after we are beaten and bruised, that we pray to for comfort. Just waking up to that dissonance alone will, I think, create a platform for change. It will create the grounds for change.
Discuss
Jaakko Wallenius on January 9, 2008, 3:38 AM
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is as powerful as always! She is a amazingly clear thinker and really knows what she is talking about.
Jaakko Wallenius on January 9, 2008, 8:38 AM
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is as powerful as always! She is a amazingly clear thinker and really knows what she is talking about.
a a on January 16, 2008, 6:06 PM
Many Blessings to you Ayaan. I strongly encourage you to educate your fellow Muslims, both women and men.
Daisy R on January 16, 2008, 7:57 PM
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is my muse! Whenever I have the opportunity I tell others about her; she is one of the most important leaders and philosphers today.
david g on January 16, 2008, 8:05 PM
I love this chick! Awesome smart and attractive. I saw her on CSPAN and was thoroughly intrigued impressed etcetera. Although I think the Islamic repression of women has its roots in our genes and gender roles, its no good and has to go. However a heirum might be nice. Peace and god will.
a a on January 16, 2008, 11:06 PM
Many Blessings to you Ayaan. I strongly encourage you to educate your fellow Muslims, both women and men.
Daisy R on January 17, 2008, 12:57 AM
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is my muse! Whenever I have the opportunity I tell others about her; she is one of the most important leaders and philosphers today.
david g on January 17, 2008, 1:05 AM
I love this chick! Awesome smart and attractive. I saw her on CSPAN and was thoroughly intrigued impressed etcetera. Although I think the Islamic repression of women has its roots in our genes and gender roles, its no good and has to go. However a heirum might be nice. Peace and god will.
Edward Stapleton on January 17, 2008, 3:09 PM
Ms. Ali, you are among the great heroes of our time. Thank you for your courage, your perseverance, and the inspiration you give us all.
Edward Stapleton on January 17, 2008, 8:09 PM
Ms. Ali, you are among the great heroes of our time. Thank you for your courage, your perseverance, and the inspiration you give us all.
Edward Pye on January 20, 2008, 8:37 PM
beautiful – move around the circle and then step out…
Edward Pye on January 21, 2008, 1:37 AM
beautiful – move around the circle and then step out…
jessica stallone on January 23, 2008, 11:49 AM
I only wish more people can see the error in these teachings and "reprogram" themselves as she said.
jessica stallone on January 23, 2008, 4:49 PM
I only wish more people can see the error in these teachings and “reprogram” themselves as she said.
Sean Leamen on January 27, 2008, 6:37 AM
This is a very good concept. To not do what another person tells you but to think for yourself and be your own person. We don't need a set list of things that are right and wrong from another person. We need to create that list on our own. I'm not saying that I not believe in God or don't believe in life after death, but some of the things that religion tells us to do are ubsurd. We need to think our own mind.
Afaun Mandol on January 27, 2008, 7:38 AM
It's always interesting to read others comments and see how they manage to take out only the parts they agree with. Ms. Ali disagrees with that particular verse, but she did mention that Islam had other values that she would pass on through generations – yet no mention of that by those encouraging the conversion from Islam. It is not easy to be objective.
Thinking for yourself is very important, especially in a society where media is geared towards propaganda and consumerism. Alternate sources of information along with trail and error and self critical thinking are crucial in giving us a balanced and fair approach to life. Understanding religions, cultures, and societies and pulling out the best in all of them in my opinion are the keys to building a successful planet.
Sean Leamen on January 27, 2008, 11:37 AM
This is a very good concept. To not do what another person tells you but to think for yourself and be your own person. We don’t need a set list of things that are right and wrong from another person. We need to create that list on our own. I’m not saying that I not believe in God or don’t believe in life after death, but some of the things that religion tells us to do are ubsurd. We need to think our own mind.
Afaun Mandol on January 27, 2008, 12:38 PM
It’s always interesting to read others comments and see how they manage to take out only the parts they agree with. Ms. Ali disagrees with that particular verse, but she did mention that Islam had other values that she would pass on through generations – yet no mention of that by those encouraging the conversion from Islam. It is not easy to be objective.
Thinking for yourself is very important, especially in a society where media is geared towards propaganda and consumerism. Alternate sources of information along with trail and error and self critical thinking are crucial in giving us a balanced and fair approach to life. Understanding religions, cultures, and societies and pulling out the best in all of them in my opinion are the keys to building a successful planet.
Musycks on March 6, 2008, 8:41 PM
A great, smart woman… but she is looking to attribute charity and kindness and generousity to her Muslim or religious indoctrination? I'm glad she's seen through the lie at the heart of the 'great' faiths, but she needs to say that goodness or evil in a civil society is a seperate argument, and the apologists will just quote her out of context and say she says she got these basically humanist traits from her early faith… these are great uniting characteristics of the human being, and religion is so divisive and intolerant at it's core. the doG-botherers can't have it both ways… but that won't stop them trying.
Musycks on March 7, 2008, 1:41 AM
A great, smart woman… but she is looking to attribute charity and kindness and generousity to her Muslim or religious indoctrination? I’m glad she’s seen through the lie at the heart of the ‘great’ faiths, but she needs to say that goodness or evil in a civil society is a seperate argument, and the apologists will just quote her out of context and say she says she got these basically humanist traits from her early faith… these are great uniting characteristics of the human being, and religion is so divisive and intolerant at it’s core. the doG-botherers can’t have it both ways… but that won’t stop them trying.
Sarah Someone on July 3, 2009, 12:46 AM
I couldn’t agree more.
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