Against the Odds

Submitted by Grace Cannan (United States), Jul 10, 2005 at 20:08

I just want to say that i just viewed a segment on 60 minutes about Hirshi Ali's work, motives and the consequences of her art. And I must say that it takes so much courage to go against your family, even your entire country. It takes a very strong woman to speak out against eveything that she, herself once believed in.

The topic of female abuse in arab society is not one to be taken lightly. If the Koran says something that goes against democracy, is extremely insulting, or degrades half the population (like in this case), what should be done about it?

Since democracy isn't against the entire Koran, there isn't a solid reason for it to be outlawed or taken from it's role in government. However, female discrimination in Islam is near epidemic proportions these days. And if nobody tries to stop it, it will continue, end of story.

Not many people would recognize how wrong someone else's decision is. Hirshi Ali would rather have lived her life under protection than keep her opinions to herself, no matter how controversial. She made that decision. This is what makes Hirshi Ali one of the world's strongest female leaders.

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