Ali advocates for rights for women across the globe

The Ringling College Library Association Town Hall 2015 lecture series hosted Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Katty Kay for a personal discussion on women and Islam.  Lead anchor for BBC World News America, Kay moderated the discussion with Ali. Both women share ties to the Middle East.

Originally, from Somalia, Ali was raised in the Islamic faith and spent her childhood internally debating her beliefs while moving through out the Middle East, Africa and Europe. At the age of 22 she fled for the Netherlands to avoid an arranged marriage and was given asylum and became a citizen. In time she was elected to the Dutch parliament where she served for three years.  Ali stands firmly in her opinion of a necessary reform for the religion of Islam and the way Muslim women are treated. She has authored three books with her fourth titled “Heretic” is scheduled to be released March 24.