[link|http://www.amazon.com/Infidel-Ayaan-Hirsi-Ali/dp/0743289684|Infidel] on Amazon.

It's the memoir of a Somali who was raised a Muslim, was quite devout but slowly became to be less so, emigrated to the Netherlands to avoid an arranged marriage, eventually realized she was an atheist, became an activist for Muslim womens' and immigrants' rights, and was elected to the Dutch parliament.

She made a 10 minute film with Theo van Gogh called [link|http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0432109/|Submission, Part One]. He was [link|http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1399784,00.html|murdered] on November 2, 2004.

It's a very direct, clearly written, thoughtful and harrowing tale. She became a powerful figure in Dutch politics in her short time there. While one can argue with some of the policies she advocated (p.308 - dramatically reducing unemployment benefits and eliminating the minimum wage, to try to force immigrants to assimilate and get out of the "poverty trap"), her life powerfully demonstrates the importance of being willing to stand up for one's beliefs and to try to change things.

She also makes a powerful case that there must be limits to tolerance of the cultural and religious beliefs of immigrants to western societies. Especially those cultural and religious beliefs advocated by unelected leaders that have the effect of oppressing women and children.

She's now a Resident Fellow at the [link|http://www.aei.org/scholars/scholarID.117,filter.all/scholar.asp|American Enterprise Institute] (a "conservative" think tank in Washington).

She talks about her father, who was a leader in the resistance movement in Somalia; growing up in a clan-based society; attending a madrassa; living in Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and Holland; and living in hiding as a result of the death threats.

It's an excellent read. Highly recommended.

Cheers,
Scott.