I come from a world where the word 'trauma' doesn't exist, because we are too poor. I didn't have an easy life compared to the average European. But compared to the average African, it wasn't all that bad. Ayaan Hirsi Ali africanaveragebad share on social
When a 'Life of Brian' comes out with Muhammad in the lead role, directed by an Arab equivalent of Theo van Gogh, it will be a huge step forward. Ayaan Hirsi Ali arabbriandirect Change image and share on social
You have to let individuals make their own choices and respect that, even if it's your own child. And that's what was taken away from me. My father passed away thinking I still had to go back to his way of believing. Ayaan Hirsi Ali backbelievechild share on social
I do not believe in God, angels and the hereafter. Ayaan Hirsi Ali angelgod Change image and share on social
Of course, the overwhelming majority of Muslims are not terrorists or sympathetic to terrorists. Equating all Muslims with terrorism is stupid and wrong. But acknowledging that there is a link between Islam and terror is appropriate and necessary. Ayaan Hirsi Ali acknowledgeequateislam share on social
Every time you take a train, step into your car, walk into the shopping mall, go to the airport - every single time, something could happen. That's how terrorism works. Ayaan Hirsi Ali airportcarhappen Change image and share on social
The concept of God in Jewish orthodoxy is one where you're having constant quarrels with God. Where I come from, in Islam, the only concept of God is you submit to Him and you obey His commands; no quarreling allowed. Ayaan Hirsi Ali allowcommandconcept share on social
I was a Muslim once, remember, and it was when I was most devout that I was most full of hate. Ayaan Hirsi Ali devoutfullhate Change image and share on social
There's peacetime and there's wartime, and you don't need polarization on wartime issues. You need polarization on all other issues. Ayaan Hirsi Ali issuepeacetimepolarization Change image and share on social
Many people in Europe and the U.S. dispute the thesis that we are living through a clash of civilisations between Islam and the west. But a radical minority of Muslims firmly believes that Islam is under siege, and is committed to winning the holy war it has declared against the West. Ayaan Hirsi Ali believecivilisationclash share on social