Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now

by Ayaan Hirsi Ali Narrated by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Overview

Continuing her very personal journey from a deeply religious Islamic upbringing to a post at Harvard, the brilliant, charismatic and controversial New York Times and Globe and Mail #1 bestselling author of Infidel and Nomad makes a powerful plea for an Islamic Reformation as the only way to end the horrors of terrorism and sectarian warfare and the repression of women and minorities.

Today, the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims can be divided into a minority of fundamentalists, a majority of observant “daily” Muslims and a few dissidents who risk their lives by questioning their own religion. But there is only one Islam and, as Ayaan Hirsi Ali argues, there is no denying that some of its key teachings—like the subordination of women and the duty to wage holy war—are incompatible with the values of a free society. 

For centuries it has seemed as if Islam is immune to change. But Hirsi Ali has come to believe that a “Reformation”—a revision of Islamic doctrine aimed at reconciling the religion with modernity—is now at hand, and may even have begun. The Arab Spring may now seem like a political failure. But its challenge to traditional authority revealed a new readiness—not least by Muslim women—to think freely and to speak out.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali argues that ordinary Muslims throughout the world want change. Courageously challenging the fundamentalists, she identifies five key amendments to Islamic doctrine that must be made in order to set Muslims free from their 7th-century chains. Interweaving her own experiences, historical analogies and powerful examples from contemporary Islamic societies and cultures, Heretic is not a call to arms, but a passionate plea for peaceful change and a new era of toleration.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for Infidel: “Brave, inspiring, and beautifully written…Narrated in clear, vigorous prose, it traces the author’s geographical journey from Mogadishu to Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Kenya, and her desperate flight to the Netherlands to escape an arranged marriage.” — The New York Times

“Ayaan Hirsi Ali is one of Europe’s most controversial political figures and a target for terrorists. A notably enigmatic personality whose fierce criticisms of Islam have made her a darling of...conservatives...and...popular with leftists...Soft-spoken but passionate.” — Boston Globe

“Crammed with harrowing details, Hirsi Ali’s account is a significant contribution to our times.” — Kirkus (starred review)

“A powerful, compelling read…Put simply, this woman is a heroine.” — The Christian Science Monitor

“A charismatic figure...of arresting and hypnotizing beauty...[who writes] with quite astonishing humor and restraint.” — Christopher Hitchens

“The five areas for Islamic reform highlighted by Ayaan in this book require deep consideration by my fellow Muslims…I thank Ayaan for having the resilience and determination to help in continuing this ongoing conversation.” — Maajid Nawaz, Co-founder and Chair of Quilliam, counter-extremism think-tank

“She is absolutely right to raise difficult issues that must be addressed worldwide, especially by Muslims...I hope that this book will help to stimulate vital discussions for the future of Islam, and in fact for the future of humanity.” — Sheikh Dr. Usama Hasan, imam and Islamic scholar

“Audacious? Quixotic? Visionary? Necessary? All of the above. This an urgent, complicated, risky subject, and Hirsi Ali, valiant, indomitable, and controversial, offers a potent indictment, idealistic blueprint, and galvanizing appeal to both conscience and reason.” — Donna Seaman, Booklist

“Whatever one may think of her solutions, Hirsi Ali should be commended for her unblinking determination to address the problem.” — Andrew Anthony, The Guardian

“A book full of compassion.” — Paul Steenhuis, NRC Handelsblad

“Surprisingly constructive…[Hirsi Ali] goes to work with much reasonability and significant knowledge of the subject matter” — Carel Peeters, Vrij Nederland

“We ignore her quill to our shame and peril.” — Katherine Ernst, City Journal

“Hirsi Ali offers a fine example for the braver souls among us.” — Michael Totten, Commentary

Paul Steenhuis

A book full of compassion.

Andrew Anthony

Whatever one may think of her solutions, Hirsi Ali should be commended for her unblinking determination to address the problem.

Sheikh Dr. Usama Hasan

She is absolutely right to raise difficult issues that must be addressed worldwide, especially by Muslims...I hope that this book will help to stimulate vital discussions for the future of Islam, and in fact for the future of humanity.

Donna Seaman

Audacious? Quixotic? Visionary? Necessary? All of the above. This an urgent, complicated, risky subject, and Hirsi Ali, valiant, indomitable, and controversial, offers a potent indictment, idealistic blueprint, and galvanizing appeal to both conscience and reason.

Boston Globe

Ayaan Hirsi Ali is one of Europe’s most controversial political figures and a target for terrorists. A notably enigmatic personality whose fierce criticisms of Islam have made her a darling of...conservatives...and...popular with leftists...Soft-spoken but passionate.

Christopher Hitchens

A charismatic figure...of arresting and hypnotizing beauty...[who writes] with quite astonishing humor and restraint.

The Christian Science Monitor

A powerful, compelling read…Put simply, this woman is a heroine.

Maajid Nawaz

The five areas for Islamic reform highlighted by Ayaan in this book require deep consideration by my fellow Muslims…I thank Ayaan for having the resilience and determination to help in continuing this ongoing conversation.

The New York Times

Praise for Infidel: “Brave, inspiring, and beautifully written…Narrated in clear, vigorous prose, it traces the author’s geographical journey from Mogadishu to Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Kenya, and her desperate flight to the Netherlands to escape an arranged marriage.

Carel Peeters

Surprisingly constructive…[Hirsi Ali] goes to work with much reasonability and significant knowledge of the subject matter

Michael Totten

Hirsi Ali offers a fine example for the braver souls among us.

Katherine Ernst

We ignore her quill to our shame and peril.

The New York Times

Praise for Infidel: “Brave, inspiring, and beautifully written…Narrated in clear, vigorous prose, it traces the author’s geographical journey from Mogadishu to Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Kenya, and her desperate flight to the Netherlands to escape an arranged marriage.

null The New York Times

Praise for Infidel: “Brave, inspiring, and beautifully written…Narrated in clear, vigorous prose, it traces the author’s geographical journey from Mogadishu to Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Kenya, and her desperate flight to the Netherlands to escape an arranged marriage.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170325931
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	03/24/2015
Edition description:	Unabridged

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