On March 4, Whitman students will have the chance to listen to Ayaan Hirsi Ali speak on Islam and women’s rights.  

Hirsi Ali was born in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1969 to a devout Muslim family. In her youth, she was subjected to female genital mutilation, and in 1992 was arranged to be married to a cousin in Canada. To escape her marriage, Hirsi Ali moved to the Netherlands, where she gained citizenship and later served in the Dutch parliament for three years.  

Since then, Hirsi Ali has advocated for women’s rights and campaigned for “enlightened Islam,” which has made her a target for violence. Theo van Gogh, the director of her short film, “Submission,” which detailed the lives of women under Islam, was found murdered in 2004. A death threat for Hirsi Ali was found on his body. As a target for violence, she must live with constant protection. Despite potential danger to her person, Hirsi Ali has continued to spread her message, and has published a collection of essays entitled “The Caged Virgin,” as well as a memoir, “Infidel.”  

“I read [Hirsi Ali’s] autobiography and thought she would make an excellent speaker,” said ASWC Public Speakers Director sophomore Kiva Ellenberg, who is in charge of bringing Hirsi Ali to Whitman.

Hirsi Ali’s visit is controversial. Concerns have been voiced that bringing an anti-Islam speaker to the college may reinforce negative stereotypes concerning the Muslim faith. Others applaud ASWC for bringing a woman to campus with such a strong viewpoint.

 “While the views she brings are certainly strong opinions, they offer a voice which Whitman students may or may not have been exposed to,” said ASWC Programming Chair senior Rachel Stein.

“I hope people will listen to what she has to say, think about its implications, and, regardless of whether they agree with her or not, be more knowledgeable about both the world and their own beliefs,” said Ellenberg.

Students may email [email protected] to suggest issues they would like to be addressed during the presentation. Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s presentation will take place Wed, March 4, at 7 pm in Cordiner Hall. A Q&A session and book signing will follow the lecture.