The Caged Virgin: An Emancipation Proclamation for Women and Islam

Ms. Ayaan Hirsi Ali has won my loyalty, my respect and my gratitude. I read the Koran last year, spring of 2013. I was appalled by all the violence against Jews, Christians, non-Muslims and women, even Muslim women - beatings approved in the so-called 'holy book?" This is present day Islamic law, in the 21st century? I was shocked - where was this 'religion of peace' the news media and politicians shout about? In her book we follow, Ms. Ali's journey from childhood in Somalia, then to Saudia Arabia, her schooling under brutal Islamic scholars, her family life - nothing is left out - sheer honesty in experiencing FGM - and I mean nothing. Many times, my heart broke, seized up, and I wept. I sit in my comfortable world here in the States, and girls and women are living in conditions that would have jailed men here in the US. Ms. Ali bailed out in Germany, escaping an arranged marriage, then fled to Belgium for asylum. Gusty, brave, determined, and highly intelligent, this is the brutally honest story of her life all the way thru to her immigration to the USA. We are a more blessed country to have her. When Theo van Gogh was murdered, her name was on the note stabbed into his chest. She would be next. When Brandeis University rescinded their offer to give her an honorary degree a few weeks ago, I was appalled. The group CAIR has pushed their agenda and Brandeis crumpled and bowed and withdrew the offer. How can this happen in our great country? For Shame on Brandeis and shame on anyone caving into to Islamist pressure! I am still following her and donated to her AHA Foundation to help girls and women. We women are blessed to have her. We need to write our Senators and Congressmen about the hate speech in the Koran and the barbarism of Islam. We Christians need to witness to our Muslim sisters - yes I know Mohammed forbids this in the Koran - but are we free Americans with our own minds? Freedom isn't easy, but we don't need groups to push the news media and politicians to protect Islam when it represents such barbarity and intolerance. I was shamed listening to our President praising Islam and promising actions against those (us Americans) who criticized the prophet. Quoting from the Koran, he shouted this out. I watched the YouTube video several times, then Hillary Clinton, then in old footage, General Patrias.I highly recommend reading this book and the others, "Infidel" and "Nomad". All are page turners - many page turners of horror - but WE NEED TO READ THESE TRUTHS. We need to be active in protecting women and girls from Islam here in the USA and other countries. God Bless Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Yes, I know she is now an atheist, and at the same time, she highly recommends Christians to preach the love of Jesus Christ to Muslim women. I totally agree. Remember when Jesus held the rock in his hand when the Pharisees brought the adulterous woman to him for the crowd to stone her. "You who are without sin, caste the first stone." Islam still has the stone, and uses them. We need to stay their hand.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali speaks out against injustices in Islam and as well, to those who choose to ignore, defend, or preserve the status quo. Ms. Ali offers an informative, clear and concise work on the battles Muslim women face, in managing an extreme, often backward, male dominated society. Ayaan Hirsi Ali points out that the basic dilemma for Islamic countries is the refusal of Islamic leaders to review and challenge basic tenets of Islam and to question whether or not, Hadiths, (directives to be strictly followed) by the seventh century Prophet Muhammad, are applicable and sustainable in the modern world. Furthermore, the author insists that Western countries must stop justifying “multiculturalism,” in that the very concept prevents Muslims from acclimating, adjusting and assimilating into the Western societies in which they have chosen to live.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali has given us an insider's look at what the terrifying hangup on virginity and "moral" behavior of the East African and Middle Eastern lands has done to the lives of the women from those areas. The limitations on education, choice in life paths, even simple freedom to go out to the markets are delineated in bold statements from one who was there. This is not a pretty picture. When being seen shaking hands with an unrelated man in public can bring about horrific punishments from the State including a barbaric death penalty, what is the quality of life then for half the population? Read this book and anything else you can find by this author. She is experienced in the horrors of being a woman in the Middle East and is also an extremely well educated Western woman now. The whole human race needs to help free the over half a billion people who must live in these primitive conditions.

In order to co-exist with muslims, we must understand the basics of Islam.This book gives an easy road to travel towards this understanding.The author grew up as a Muslim, a female Muslim, which makes her descriptions of Islam authentic.The book is easy to read, and shines a light on a culture which is very hard to understand.But the survival of our own culture may depend on us understanding the Muslim culture.

Instead of picking this book apart, I will instead be brief and state that this prelude to "Infidel" should be required reading for every college curriculum having to do with medicine, women's studies, philosophy, sociology, poly sci, etc. Ali has a voice that we all should be listening to and hers is that inner voice in all of us that says "Do what is right". AND I think that if men read this and "don't get it", they should keep their mouths shut. Of course, most men "don't get it" where women are concerned anyway. Ali has suffered greatly as a young woman at the hands of all around her and by writing about her suffering, is trying to help those girls and women still in the hands of men, religion and family still living in the 7th century with cell phones in their pockets. She is my hero, and I admire her greatly. Ayaan, keep on being the voice of all who have none.

I've already read the 'Heretic' book from Ayaan, and this is another great book. A book focused on the lives of millions of muslim women oppressed by this extreme way of life called Islam. Recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about islam.

Excellent

A fascinating insight into the misery suffered by many Muslim women.

Have read her two previous books - this one is just as interesting and revealing and helps to explain why there is so much conflict within Islam

I bought all Ayyan's books and devoured them. Not as fussy about this one but still was important to me as I discovered a very different culture from the past.