I have recently been getting emails from non-Muslims praising me for my criticism of Arab and Islamic culture. The last email was from someone who sent me an article about Ayaan Hirsi Ali thinking that I might be impressed and saying that we need more people like her.
Here is my take on this woman:
I believe that respect, love and compassion are the only engines for change. Hate, bigotry and hostility will only make people more resistant to change because they are direct attacks on what people consider a core aspect of their identity.
I don't believe that encouraging people to hate their religion and culture helps much in reforming anything.
I sympathize with the ordeals that Hirsi Ali went through in her personal life, but I and most Muslim women I know, did not have it as hard as she did, therefore we are not willing to rebel against Islam and Islamic culture with such zeal, since we are not as emotionally charged.
As for non-Muslims, they have to realize that people who have been through personal traumas like Ayaan Hirsi Ali, are traumatized for life and therefore unable to use reason or think objectively. It is only an emotionally damaged person who can say things like "Islam is evil in and out." She is like a woman who has been hurt by a man and, because of it, hates all men.
I, and most Muslims I know, cherish and admire the vast majority of aspects in Islam. I cannot and should not focus on the negative only, and neglect all the great roles that Islam has had and still has in people's lives on all levels.
I'm also not sure that it is realistic to expect that it is possible for over a billion people to renounce Islam and embrace something else because Ayaan Hirsi Ali wants them to.
She does not believe in reform, but what is her alternative? Neither Christianity nor secularism seems reasonable for Muslims to embrace on a grand scale any time soon. Reform is likely a more practical option.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali might be a hero among some Westerners, but there is a reason why she has barely any Muslim admirers.
She is no different than the many Westerners who renounce their culture, convert to Islam, and are greeted like heroes when they go to the Middle East to give lectures about the evils of the West.
Monday, June 7, 2010
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2 comments:
you have gone over the top. I would consider your essay here misguided and practically ignorant. to compare an opportunistic Ayan Ali to Muslim reverts is absurd and somewhat hateful let alone distasteful. Ayan Ali is been offered millions of dollars to lie about her past and her history. the trauma she is talking about in her past is totally made up relying on the caricature of what the west think of what's the muslim woman. Reverts on the other hand rarely are offered any money or have ties with the politcal structures that have a motive in defaming other cultures/religion in order to continue a policy of aggression and colonialism. You need to think before writing. I think you missed the mark (by a long shot) this time.
Asalamu Alaykum
I just had to stop and actually commend you for your blog posts, it is absolutely refressing and eye-opening to see someone who is practicing islam with their heart, soul and most of all THEIR BRAIN!
Too often are muslims becoming empty human beings because they want to follow every dogmatic rule that is presented to them! Such as, sleeping only on right side because shaytan likes to approach from there, or not listening to any type of music or keeping a dog cause supposedly prophet Mohamed (pbuh) said it is forbidden!
It shows how much muslims are distancing themselves from humanity by how they are picking at mere words in your essays and not discussing the whole of your meaning!
Very sad, hopefully this world can see the error of their ways, and save themselves from themselves!
Jazak Allah Khayr ya Ukhti
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