As a Christian raised in typically small southern towns, I came to this book knowing very little about Muslims and their religious beliefs and practices. I learned many things from Infidel by Ayan Hersi Ali, but I was particularly impressed with the way she was able to step outside of her upbringing and reflect on what she was taught as a child. It certainly gave me much to think about. Here are a few of her thoughts that I found particularly worthy:
"some things must be said, and there are times when silence becomes an accomplice to injustice."
"words are not something you should waste; they should come out of deep prior reflection"
"Societies that respect the rights of women and their freedom are wealthy and peaceful."
"If girls and women are uneducated, oppressed, and psychologically demeaned, then their children are all stunted by their ignorance. If women are well educated and nurtured, they and their children make up a self-reliant, responsible citizenry and a productive workforce."
I noted a few others passages that I will refrain from recording here, because they are Ali's very strong comments on Islam's role as an oppressive, intolerant culture. She also comments on how western cultures often enable these values to continue. This book gave me so much to think about.
No comments:
Post a Comment