It was an intimate and cozy evening at the Blu Fig, as six of us met to discuss Ayaan Hirsi Ali's book, Infidel. November always seems to be a hard month to get all the bookworms out! Perhaps because of the small group though, we had many interesting conversations as we endeavored to answer all of the questions about Islam, women, genital mutilation, immigrants, western values vs. Muslim values, and the multiple problems Ayaan brought up in her fascinating story.
We discussed "Geography is Destiny", one of Abraham Verghese's comments in Cutting For Stone. I am certain that each and every one of us is extremely grateful to be an American woman. It was sobering to absorb all the things Ayaan endured as a child growing up in Somalia, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia. The genital mutilation, the beatings, the education, the moving from country to country. We all agreed that she is an incredibly brave and intelligent woman. I first read the book about a year or two after it was first published, and I still remember Ayaan's description of her first bike ride, and first time ever wearing pants, in Holland!
Was it worth it for Ayaan to tell her story? We agreed that her book is of utmost importance. Clearly, this is her individual story, and not a representation of how all Muslims feel and behave. Yet, why don't the moderate Muslims speak out more forcefully and more often against the fundamentalists? Is it because they are afraid?
This book is a wake up call to beware of the fundamentalist factions of Islam. We discussed some current events in the news, in light of Hirsi Ali's book, including ISIS, and France. Some of the bookworms had seen an upsetting story on 60 Minutes just the previous night, about fundamentalist Muslims in London. Ayaan maintains a website, http://theahafoundation.org/. I urge you to visit it, and read about how the AHA foundation works to protect and defend the rights of women and girls in the U.S. from harmful traditional practices. Yes--genital mutilation, honor violence, and forced marriage are happening in communities in the United States.
This book is a wake up call to beware of the fundamentalist factions of Islam. We discussed some current events in the news, in light of Hirsi Ali's book, including ISIS, and France. Some of the bookworms had seen an upsetting story on 60 Minutes just the previous night, about fundamentalist Muslims in London. Ayaan maintains a website, http://theahafoundation.org/. I urge you to visit it, and read about how the AHA foundation works to protect and defend the rights of women and girls in the U.S. from harmful traditional practices. Yes--genital mutilation, honor violence, and forced marriage are happening in communities in the United States.
Dearest bookworms, I missed you if you weren't able to join us, and am so thankful to those of you who could come!
XXOO
Robin
Hi Ladies,
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting Robin, video was great. I did enjoy the book, I listened didn't have trouble with her accent. I just thinking how happy I am to have been born in America! What she went through and the other women was just atrocious !
I forgot to put my name. I wanted to add anyway that the author was such an inspiration of courage and perseverance. You ladies inspire me too.
ReplyDeleteTake care!!
Mary