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Loading... Nomad: From Islam to America: A Personal Journey Through the Clash of…by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
I'm struggling with this book, trying to reconcile it to my world view -- and trying to decide if I want to. I can see why this book is so controversial and upsetting to the Muslim community -- the author is an atheist who, while not critical of all Muslims, is certainly critical of Islam itself. She argues that Islam and its current worldview is a threat to world peace. She has an amazing life story, and she definitely explains how her experiences have shaped her views. I found many of her arguments convincing, but I also wonder if I should, or I'm letting my prejudices and fears overwhelm me. I've always been offended by evangelical proselytizing, yet Hirsi Ali argues Christians need to proselytize to prevent the spread of Muslim fundamentalism. But I was definitely convinced by her concern for Muslim girls and women who are victimized by their patriarchal, honor-based culture. (  ) JillKB | Apr 4, 2013 |  This memoir is probably the most intelligent, thoughtful, articulate and sane book I have read in a long time. Listening to her read it (the unabridged audio version) in her own voice made it come alive with an authenticity that would have been impossible by reading a hard copy, I think. It really made an impression on me. And did I mention brave? For a woman who is only 42 years old to have lived through, and done, what she has, and to be able to rise above it all and come out the other end, intact, strong and to use her experiences to try to do good and help others, is nothing short of remarkable. I don't have very positive feelings or opinions about any religion that uses its dogma to repress women or any minority group, or brainwash children. And I absolutely detest violence for any reason, but most especially when it is *condoned* as acceptable (or *honourable*, a misnomer if ever there was one). But the more I read, in general about humanity, from all time periods, in all regions of the globe, the more I realize just how fortunate I am to live right now, and right here, where democracy is at least the law of the land (if not always working 100% properly). What I know for sure is that I could never be as brave as Ayaan Hirsi Ali. How many other potentially strong, vibrant, intelligent and determined women are lost to such repression? Ali has created an organization to try to reach out to such women and give them the chances she had - and took - to make something of their lives in a most positive way. To live as independent and autonomous humans, something we who are born in *the west* think of as our natural basic human rights. We would do well to remember that this is a priviledge, and for so many, not a right at all. The world needs more people like Ali to stand up and speak out. Unfortunately, the men of her religion (Islam) will most certainly make sure that never happens. I just hope with all my heart that she is not cut down for speaking the truth. Most heroes like her, often are. http://theahafoundation.org/ (  ) jessibud2 | Mar 31, 2013 | This is a moving personal account of Ali who has moved numerous times in her native Africa, through Holland, and eventually to finding a home in the U.S. She challenges assumptions of Western academics who have a vested interest in keeping Islamists and immigrants in their dependency status. Ali is not politically correct and she forthrightly questions the notion that Islamists and immigrants do not need to question their unquestioning obedience to the Koran. It is only in the Enlightenment that the West criticized its own traditions which resulted in tolerance, a classically Liberal conception of society, and individual responsibility. As a former Muslim and current atheist she engages Christians and Catholics to take a leading role in evangelizing Muslims and taking an active role in Muslim enclaves. As Europe has gone, the U.S. is traveling down the road of dhimmitude. Ali has a helpful Reading and Discussion Guide which should be useful for any reading groups who use her work for policy considerations. She rightly translates the Arabic tharaba (Koran 4:34) to mean "beat" your wife which in the same passage allows a man to dismiss his wife by simply stating `I divorce you.' gmicksmith | Jul 22, 2012 | I read Infidel, by Ali, several years ago hoping to glean some understanding of the Somali culture. Our family has been very involved with a Somalian refugee family for several years, and their children have become dear friends with ours. My hope was to gain a greater understanding of the world from which they came. I was not prepared for the disruption in my own life that would occur. Nomad poses challenging questions around the role of the Western world as it pertains to welcoming and assimilating our Muslim friends into our Western culture. Her views are well-thought through and controversial to say the least. And I say "controversial" in the best light. She pushes us to think. She challenges whatever your existing paradigms might be. Regardless of where you ultimately land on the issues, Nomad provides fodder for thought and healthy debate. I'd suggest that it's an important read for us all. ( ) juliesilander | Aug 9, 2011 | I have mixed feeling about Hirsi Ali and this book. I really enjoyed Infidel and it was eye opening. This book on the other hand, I feel like was her recaping Infidel and then adding in all her opinions on Muslims and how they should change or other countries should change. I agree with a few things she states in this book, but on the other hand I don't agree in many aspects. I work with Muslims on daily basis and I see many of the things she refers too, but I have also met many men and women who were able to assimilate just fine. Though she brings up many very interesting points, sometime I cannot relate to her way of thinking. (  ) goldiebear | Jun 24, 2011 |
 As a work of impassioned zealotry, Nomad is an excellent read. It is a book that never hesitates to stand up for the Enlightenment and to proclaim that “West is Best.” As a manifesto for individual freedom it is powerfully subversive, appealing to wives, daughters, and sisters to abandon the tyranny of custom, to throw off the patriarchal yoke. But it offers no plausible avenues for religious reform within Islam.
References to this work on external resources.
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