Ayaan Hirsi Ali on the West, Dawa, and Islam

Recorded on July 12, 2017
Ayaan Hirsi Ali joins Peter Robinson to discuss her new book, The Challenge of Dawa: Political Islam as Ideology and Movement and How to Contain It, and her views on the challenges facing Western civilization in regards to political Islam. She argues that Islam needs to be separated into two different parts, one part of religion and the other part, political philosophy. She concedes that many aspects of the religious part of Islam are peaceful but argues that the political side is much more concerning due to its focus on Dawa, which means “to plead or to call non-Muslims to Islam.” This call to convert people to Islam is what she argues was a driving force behind the spread of Islam throughout history.
Hirsi Ali argues that American political philosophy and classical liberalism are young philosophies in comparison to the fourteen centuries of Islamic political doctrine and that its age and layered-ness are often underestimated by Western minds who are more familiar with younger political philosophies. She discusses the critiques of the philosopher Karl Popper of communism and fascism and how they relate directly to the ideologies of Islam. She argues that the language of appeasement often used toward radical Islamic terrorism is too gentle and that discussions of how to deal with Islam need to be considerably franker.
Earlier this year Ayaan Hirsi Ali was called before Congress to testify on her book The Challenge of Dawa. She discusses her testimony and that although she was invited by a Democrat senator to speak “about the ideology of radical Islam,” the Democrats present didn’t ask her a single question because they were likely uncomfortable with what she had to say about Islam. She argues that just as Western civilizations have defeated dangerous ideologies in the past, she is optimistic that Western civilization will succeed against political Islam for, as she says, “[Jihadis] can’t destroy us without permission.” She says if we take the fight to the “battlefield of ideas” we can defeat radical Islamic ideologies with Western beliefs.
About the Guest
Ayaan Hirsi Ali was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1969. As a young child she was subjected to female genital mutilation; as she grew up she embraced Islam and strove to live as a devout Muslim. But she began to question aspects of her faith. One day, while listening to a sermon on the many ways women should be obedient to their husbands, she couldn't resist asking, "Must our husbands obey us too?"
In 2007 Hirsi Ali founded the AHA Foundation to protect and defend the rights of women in the United States from harmful traditional practices. Today the foundation is the leading organization working to end violence that shames, hurts, or kills thousands of women and girls in the United States each year and puts millions more at risk.
Hirsi Ali is a fellow with the Future of Diplomacy Project at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School, a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Hirsi Ali is currently researching the relationship between the West and Islam. She must live with round-the-clock security, as her willingness to speak out and her abandonment of the Muslim faith have made her a target for violence by Islamic extremists.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali was named one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People" of 2005, one of the Glamour Heroes of 2005, and Reader's Digest's European of the Year for 2005. She is the best-selling author of Infidel (2007) and Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now (2015).
Related Resources:
The Challenge of Dawa: Political Islam as Ideology and Movement and How to Counter It
How to Counter Political Islam
March for Every Woman
Kamala Harris, Speak Up. Don’t Be Silent on Women’s Rights
Testimony on Ideology and Terror
For the full transcript go to
www.hoover.org/research/ayaan-...
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[@Comodusprimus]

One of my favourite human beings. This woman has my utmost respect.

[@gundabriggs2463]

I am in awe of this woman. Every leader of the Western world should listen to her.

[@prasantkumar7254]

This women is my hero.....real hero.... i hope westerners come to their senses and identify real enemies.

[@dagoorey3534]

Mad woman, out there to make money and fame by making the enemies of Islam to hear what they want to hear to buy her books..Islam is a mirror exposing the truth about the west who is living the final stage of self destruction,,,

[@nandorblue]

As a Hungarian who was born and raised in communist Hungary I had tears in my eye listening to her saying and perfectly articulating why Poland and Hungary and Eastern Europeans are valuing freedom and willing to fight for it. She struck a chord with me.

[@grangebeach]

this interview should be aired on public free to air tv as an important public service

[@SoNoFTheMoSt]

ye something like a public service announcement? :)

[@glenc5185]

Agreed! But this is not someone else's responsibility. It's our job to share this as widely as we can in whatever sphere of influence we have.

[@bishmawood7597]

On the question of drawing the line in the wrong place, the Quran is the book that Muslims follow and it answers that question in surah 4.95 where Allah puts the Jihadist a grade above the Muslim who stays home and receives no hurt. In other words, Jihad is the core doctrine of Islam and the so-called peaceful Muslim preserves the Jihad doctrine inadvertently or purposefully as long as the Quran exists and is adhered to.

[@wadjeturaeus]

ABSOLUTELY !

[@watchingseeing5088]

Bishma Wood interesting.

[@meredithcarroll6209]

She is a gift to the planet.

[@digitalpaula4989]

Ayaan Hirsi Al has incredible courage and strength.

[@mereunetulburat8022]

She's beautiful and intelligent, but above all, she's very wise... I've read her books, and I can easily say that every single page, gave me a great joy. Literally, it was the joy of knowledge...

[@Jordie0001]

Wow ! ..what a jewel ! Just how does how does some Somalian girl escape such an oppressive background and become so well informed, articulate, and free from the mold in which she was cast ? For me she is a symbol of freedom and is educating me and filling in the gaps of my ignorance of a subject I thought I knew something about. She is awesome.

[@rahuldsouza2855]

This talk should be made manditory for every one on earth especially the post modern western mind.

[@whoohoo7949]

I'm crying real tears right now. This woman is my heroine

[@joncapps2753]

what a national treasure!!!!

[@Pieter_Auper]

She used to be our national treasure (I'm from the Netherlands). And yes i am very envious ;) Please take very good care of her.

[@jeanetteb2347]

No Pieter you are not right. She was not esteemed the way she should have been and the first muslim trying to kick her out of the Netherlands (Sinan Can) actually succeeded, with us doing nothing at all. The Americans cannot do a worse job relating to her.

[@d.6823]

shs is angelic!

[@etal7723]

James Capps worldwide treasure.

[@gaetanchevanier6600]

So true! And Ayan is not bad herself either.

[@edgarkeisi]

This woman, this extraordinary human being is what I call a personification of knowledge, culture, kindness and femininity. It has been a real delight to listen to her. Thank you

[@kkuhlemann]

Hirsi Ali, excellent as ever.

[@lavenderlust9856]

Pluralism, tolerance, multi-culturalism are Western ideas and are completely unheard of in Islamic countries.

[@tomshultz4045]

When you hear a voice some day it will sound like you have finally heard the voice of Reason ... Ayaan Hirsi Ali is that voice ..... THE WORLD NEEDS TO HEAR THIS WOMAN !

[@TheNotsoignorant]

Ayaan is massively inspirational. Thank you for educating us in a most rational way in cultural self-defense.

[@ajayreddy8732]

Bless her! She is so courageous and intelligent. I stand behind her, and with her. Let the truth be told.

[@SevenRiderAirForce]

PSA: She runs the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Foundation, which works on helping victims of FGM, honor violence, and other terrible things. It lobbies the government to bring their attention to the crimes and make such things illegal.

[@Gregoryt700]

What an absolutely brilliant woman. Were her message more PC (fortunately, it isn't) she'd have a dozen honorary doctorates by now.

[@marcushale678]

Great interview. I lived in a Muslim country for 1 year and was married to a Muslim woman for 20 years, and still did not get the depth of the "problem" and particularly where it was coming from, until seeing this interview. Excellent.

[@iainrae6159]

My goodness, what a wonderful woman. As the murders and beheadings in secular France never seem to end, Ayaan's 'warnings' are more relevant than ever for our enlightened values to endure

[@ladyrotha5420]

*What a Gift to Truth and Civilization: is this Noble, Courageous, Literate and Gracious Lady. May Providence Guide and Protect Her, and all those whom she loves.*

[@lavenderlust9856]

Go to any Islamic country stand up and announce you are an atheist, or a gay person, or just question any aspect of Islam...........you will find out quickly how peaceful the religion is.

[@saintejeannedarc9460]

She really is one of the most principled and eloquent speakers I've ever seen. Very introverted and poised, doesn't try and manipulate, embellish or sell you a pitch. Just states the facts in a centered and fair way, to take it or leave it as you will. I don't trust people who use manipulation tactics when delivering a message, because even if I know it to be true, then I wonder when they will pull the switcheroo and throw some poison into the sugar.

[@hirresheikh1155]

She is eloquent from political persperctive not from religious perspective if you use politcs to define reliolgioun you will faile and end up misleading millions of people God is perfect and create everything out perfect sense so when you are created and you eager take the position of God politicise religious issue you are watched from above days of creation are limited and every human is answerable of all their action the day pregnant woman gives birth without noticing labour pain the day when your own mother run away from you

[@drongo6367]

Sainte Jeanne d'Arc hey I remember you from tree of Logic’s streams. Do you still watch?

[@slice3528]

An actual feminist. This is the type of feminist I can get behind.

[@jacquelinebull6277]

This lady is woman of substance. I respect her speaking issues related to the Qur'an, even though some people think she should not or she should follow political correctness. I raise my hat to Ayaan Hirsi Ali. May God continue to protect you. Amen

[@p.a.f.mitasol8071]

As an open minded person this has been one of the best explanation of Islams ultimate goal. I thought it was just the haters that had issues with Islam. This is real & a real threat to life we now know.

[@BobFarnell]

What an amazing Woman, she explains things so clearly and logically

[@greenman7126]

Excellent analysis of political Islam and how to defeat it.

[@andyzephyr]

She is incredible, smart, fair and very wise.

[@DainBramaged00]

One of your best interviews that I have seen. I adore this woman. I hope we are listening.

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

People should listen to Ayaan and read her books. Most of the stuff published in the media just is not correct. She is a good human being.

[@JasperMorello]

Such a smart, brave and beautiful woman!​

[@racoonface]

Americas hero . She's so inspiring she almost makes me want to cry .

[@vitaquasus1120]

Loved her book, Heretic, she is a brave and intelligent lady.

[@jybuys]

Ayaan, we need you in The Netherlands.

[@goodsamaritan343]

Ayaan used to live in the Netherlands and worked in the government to attempt to make a difference and left due to better opportunities in USA. Amsterdam had the chance and let her go due to a hospitable environment that couldn't protect her for speaking out against radical islam.

[@autenticosanx]

She'd have to be crazy to go back to lost cause holland.

[@bigboy6191]

She left because The Netherlands is an Arab nation.

[@JerjerB]

You had her... you kicked her out!

[@m.s.1753]

jybuys you are not able to protect her over there. Muslims run rampant, are fearless and are off the hook in Europe. Europe has become a paradise for Muslims. Here in America, she’s safe, she has protection and vast support.

[@JohnDoe-wd3qm]

A great woman speaks out against a vile thing

[@timkickass]

Thank you Peter, these conversations are always so informative and so important.

[@2ShadesOfGray]

Ms Ali is a magnificent human being, courage and integrity abound in this person.

[@akumar7366]

How refreshing to see a programme focusing on intelligent conversation.

[@vikramsingh11]

Eye opener! Long live Ayan

[@ss-qv2cu]

I completely agree with the host, this woman is beautiful intelligent and very well spoken. But her most important quality is that she is brave for standing up to the islamic expansionist ideas. Very well spoken , crystal clear thoughts and full of wisdom. I have downloaded the pdf book. Thank you for this interview.

[@JehudaEwert]

If anybody can be seen in my generation an admirable feminist struggling for equality of all human beings, than it is Ayan Hirsi Ali.Intelligent,logic, informed, empathic and loving

[@alexandrepereira3902]

Ayaan, thank you! God bless you!!! Dont give up!!! We thank you!!!

[@daughterofjerusalem8483]

MichaelKingsfordGray Mental infants like Einstein? Albert Einstein believed in God, and likened atheists to children entering a well ordered library, who could only vaguely realize that there must be some order to the shelves of the library, although they could not read them, nor comprehend what the order might possibly be. He said the only belief system he absolutely rejected was that of the atheist.

[@jeanetteb2347]

Guys, if you saw the vid there are urgent matters to comprehend and defend and this is not one of them.

[@d.6823]

yes thank you ayaan! i love you!!

[@chrisbeau]

Thank god for Ayaan Hirsi Ali and thank you Peter for bringing her on to enlighten us about this great imminent takeover of our way of life...!

[@solomonmarghani646]

We need her is Sudan and South Sudan, she really brelian lady ever.. She is my favorite teacher in religion matter

[@fidenemini111]

She is the ultimate example of the perfect human being.

[@pauljohnson6233]

This is an interview for the ages. Three years on and this is more relevant then ever.

[@PieterKirsten]

Those to whom freedom came late are those who are willing to fight. - Ayaan Hirsi Ali

[@sylviawackenier8618]

Thank you, Peter Robinson, Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Great

[@gaillamontagne6598]

What an education from such an articulate woman. She can help people use the most precise and accurate language to communicate the problem/dichotomy of personal tolerance v.s. political tolerance with no boundaries to the point of our own destruction. Never heard the discussion quite like that.

[@motrwithmary6531]

She is such a light on a dark topic, and very much an authority for any questioning her motives, they are to help. I wish so much that she wasn't forced into hiding because of death threats from those in her former faith. The US is happy and lucky to have you, may you and yours be well - love from the heartland.

[@istvantoth7431]

A breath of fresh air. Thank you so much Ayaan for understanding our position. - a Hungarian

[@polocaoimh]

Great interview as always.

[@truthseeker000000]

Ayaan Hirsi Ali is bipartisan and doesn't speak from the right or left. She is THE person to go to regarding Islam, especially political Islam and the true agenda of this ideology. She is just brilliant! I'm a progressive and I hope those who are part of the regressive left wakes up from their blind stupidity and stop supporting all things Islam.

[@jeanetteb2347]

I have seen no intellectual with more integrity than her. She is 100% trustable. I know the person she learned to think from like this, a razor sharp Philosophy professor in the Netherlands. H Philips. He was never to be defeated in his arguments.

[@d.6823]

me too. i have always been a leftist but i feel betrayed by the lefts blindness for political islam.

[@EarthlingCarl]

+tvee She uses the wrong language, "Islamist/Islamism" is not real. They are just good Muslims.

[@keithbiza9908]

Earthling Carl Islam is wrong the Muslims makes it right to suit them. Get the point. Unlike other religions.

[@Larrypint]

tvee same as hamad abdel samad and other ex muslims.

[@afringedweller]

@ 24:48 "The biggest challenge the US faces in combatting political Islam is the extent to which agents of dawa can exploit the constitutional and legal protections that guarantee American citizens freedom of religion and freedom of speech - freedoms that would of course be swept away if the Islamists achieved their goals." Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Senate committee testimony June 14, 2017 The US Constitution is not supposed to be a suicide pact. "As a condition of US friendship, the administration should require foreign governments to stop supporting and financing subversive Islamist activities in the United States." "We need to develop strategy to counter not only the jihadists but the complex ideological infrastructure known as dawa..." THANK YOU for this magnificent interview.

[@mikechiks983]

The sad thing is that the people who won't listen will not be here when it'll implode.

[@Hallands.]

9:50 *_WOW!_* The answer to why our politicians don't *_want_* to understand what Islam is about - expressed with mind boggling clarity!

[@muciiiciciciciic]

Protect her at any cost

[@anjanabansal1017]

Respect 🫡 Very knowledgeable

[@larachristinademalimpensa1024]

Amazing the courage and the intelligence of Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Thanks a lot.

[@selfwitness]

She is brilliant. I wish that everyone should watch this video.

[@wiliss3670]

A shinning light in the darkness brought about by a toxic and dangerous ideoligy , the world needs Ayaan without a doubt.

[@stacybrittain9448]

Peter Robinson states, "Trump is extremely unpopular..." Have you been to a Trump Rally sir? What pollis are you reading? I think you'll be quite surprised at the millions of silent majority who LOVE President Trump.

[@mrsaskander]

This woman is a fucking hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@paulhudson6778]

what a first class interview with a brilliant intellectual ,who has first hand knowledge of the horows of islam . president trump should have her on his team ,share this as much as possible everybody should listen to her and act before its to late god bless her

[@leoveyne7395]

God bless you Aayan Hirsi Ali.

[@kentspeirs8944]

I know that this is an older interview and I stumbled upon it today. How blessed I feel to have heard Ayaan Ali explain something so sincerely! I will not be able to look at the world as passively as I did before seeing her face and hearing her voice. I want to express tolerance and support for a faith such as Islam but cannot tease the doctrine of Islam apart from the politics of Islam in the hands of the human race. I also was deeply moved at how prescient her comments were at the end. We need the Polish and Hungarian peoples to protect us from the conflict from forces that oppose Western culture. it turned out to be the Ukranians, didn't it?

[@Flitalidapouet]

I always fell in love when she speaks.

[@guydavid8656]

As more than one Imam told me " Islam means SUBMISSION "... Not " Peace", tolerance of the intolerant is indeed cowardice .... 👍👍👍👍👍 Ayaan Hirsi Ali 💖💛💚🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@HansBuying]

Ayaan is brilliant, eloquent, crystal clear, and extremely brave. I wish she was still a member of Dutch parlement. She should enter the major US political stage as soon as possible.

[@mikelentz3726]

Keep doing what you're doing Ayaan!

[@larrytan16]

I just read her book Infidel and I can only imagine the pain and suffering she (and many millions of people) went thru under Islam, the much touted religion of peace. The western mind cannot understand Islam because they look at it from a colonial mindset and not as a common man.

[@angelcitygirl]

She is phenomenal. Read her book infidel. Shes a powerhouse. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@gggusc11]

Great, great interview.

[@the701squad1]

one of the bravest and smartest people in the world, I wish I had a fraction of her courage

[@jacovanzyl2480]

I have the utmost respect for you Ayaan! Thank you for enlightening me; I could not agree more with the previous comment!

[@adambdam3267]

Mrs. Ali is just awesome! And after watching many videos I gotta say Mr. Robinson is doing a great job, evertime! Keep going!

[@mosichat]

Ayaan Hersi Ali is our heroine & we will defend her!!!!

[@MrDonk]

Ayaan for President!!

[@GoodAvatar]

Absolutely. I cannot see this woman failing at any task she was presented with. She's smart, she's moral, she's brave. Yes. I want this as our President.

[@jcincorporated6207]

GoodAvatar It depends on what you call "moral". She had a baby out of wedlock 3 years ago. I don't care about how she chose to procreate. However, I just want to know how do you measure moral?

[@etal7723]

JCsTurn68 C that's immoral to you? She's an atheist? This is common practice. Did you not listen to anything she is saying?

[@lapamful]

JCsTurn68 C She married Niall Fergusson over ten years ago and is still married to him. Their first son was born in 2011. Where are you getting your information from?

[@lapamful]

Sadly she's illegible. Wasn't born in Kenya...

[@stacybrittain9448]

Thank you Ayaan Hirsi Ali for standing up for President Trump. I wish your interviewer would follow suit and do the ethical thing.

[@paramnesias9198]

Amazing woman.

[@bazerkviking2530]

Ayaan is the BOSS!

[@millamilla10]

Huge Thank you for this interview!

[@jennydawson6952]

America hit the jackpot with the immigration of this brilliant, elegant master of the art of rhetoric

[@MegaAlhaqiqa]

The best way to fight Islam is not only knowing it well but to inform Muslims of its spiritual emptiness and its evil intent. She is a Muslim who understood that. As a Christian who knows the dangers of Islam that only brought disaster everywhere it went, I fight it through deep prayer and fasting. The times Islam lost was through prayer.

[@SoNoFTheMoSt]

peter is my favourite interviewer of our time, hes up their with william buckley jr. love how he quotes so much, his tone, everything about this guy is a credit to the hoover institute and america. great videos. also is ayaan hirsi ali married? ::)

[@ariochiv]

Since she's pregnant, I'm guessing yes. :D

[@christinabernat9681]

Rob Green Yes she is. If I were a guy I would want to grab her up too, just to listen to that soothing and beautiful voice! THAT AMAZING MIND would be the cherry on top for me. She has got to be voted one of the most charming speakers of ALL TIME. A living doll with that face and body, yes, but MORE IMPORTANTLY, with that courageous yet humble character she is TRUE BEAUTY.

[@BuyTheDip627]

True. I love the guy

[@Rearmostbean]

Rob Green funny you say that, I actually don't care for his style at all. I have seen many of his videos, and he seem so akward. He seems to lead questions more than simply ask the question skeptically, straight. I watch for the guests in spite of it all.

[@bowrudder899]

Brian Lamb was the bench mark, the gold standard for me.

[@danieldietsche2954]

She needs a much larger platform, such a courageous lady

[@DarkHorseAgent]

Trump needs you in the administration.

[@butlem12]

Cesar Milstief please make this happen

[@jcincorporated6207]

Cesar Milstief She disagreed with Trump's Muslims band.

[@kiswahilikitukuzwe2547]

Cesar Milstief. What makes you think he would take advice from a "woman" other than Ivanka... especially a black woman?

[@user-go4fb7se8i]

JCsTurn68 C Shame

[@Larrypint]

Cesar Milstief Isnt it paradox that trump made the biggest weapon deal in the last 50 years with the most radical islamic country in the world? Saudi arabia.... And that the obama administration supported the fsa rebel groups who fight for sharia law in syria?

[@RKS4581]

Love her! Thanks for the upload.

[@lauriecoates9699]

Absolutely first class interview ..

[@Rasle500]

She is an Angel.

[@Kelso540]

Mad love for this gal. She has some serious fucking guts... And she’s probably the most American of the folks interviewed on this show.

[@dobbyisafreeelfandsoami3600]

We love you Ayaan!

[@ShailendraSingh-ir1js]

Enlightening, inspiring & hair raising warning of #Aiyaan if not taken seriously, west will suffer hugely.

[@giselila]

Ayaan Hirsi Ali you are a great person!!!! It is so necessary to talk about the Islam to see the real truth and this is, what you do. Thank you so much for inform us westerners about the Islam!!!!😍

[@MC-zt1rt]

I respect Miss Ali. Great work! Looking forward reading all her books !

[@patung1990]

Ayaan , you beautiful intelligent creature, the world needs you, keep fighting.

thank u hirshi.....i see this happening in the last 10 yrs.....islam is using all tools available to speed up islam in the west....