Ayaan Hirsi-Ali does not speak for us; Muslim women unite to oppose Hirsi-Ali visit
This petition had 458 supporters
We, the undersigned, would like to express our utmost disappointment that Ayaan Hirsi-Ali is being brought to Australia by Think Inc.
This position is reflective of the huge diversity of opinion amongst Australian Muslim women. Although we are not a homogenous group, we are united in our condemnation of Hirsi-Ali's discourse which is grounded in hate-mongering and bigotry.
As grassroots community workers and advocates, we have worked tirelessly to dispel stereotypes that are the cognitive breeding ground for acts of hatred and bigotry. Hirsi-Ali stated recently, "Violence is inherent in Islam – it’s a destructive, nihilistic cult of death. It legitimates murder." This is just one example of the vitriol frequently espoused by this individual.
Against a backdrop of increasing global Islamophobia, Hirsi-Ali's divisive rhetoric simply serves to increase hostility and hatred towards Muslims
In addition, through positive action and collaborative and sustainable community centric leadership models, we have strived for decades to empower Muslim women both locally and abroad. Hirsi-Ali’s sheer presence in Australia undermines both intra and inter-community efforts toward social cohesion and in providing platforms for Muslim women to champion their own causes.
We condemn any representation or interpretation of Islam that condones violence against women. We utterly reject any Islamic basis for the violence that has occurred to Ayaan Hirsi-Ali in her life, and the violence perpetrated to women all over the world who have fallen victim to culturally-influenced misogynistic abuse.
We welcome and encourage vigorous discussion and debate regarding Islam and the status of women. However to conflate hate speech with free speech undermines both the intelligence of our community and the efforts we have made to maintain respect and dignity in an environment of such hostility. Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s conversation does not contribute to any insights nor further the debate in any way. This is simple sensationalism designed to fuel division and hate. Australia deserves better than this.
For media enquiries please contact Hana Assafiri: 0402 515 402
Hana Assafiri, Business owner (Moroccan Soup Bar) and Community Activist
Sherene Hassan, Board Director of Islamic Museum of Australia
Monique Toohey, Managing Director and Principal Psychologist Nasiha Consulting
Dr Shakira Hussain (PhD), Honorary Research Follow
Randa Abdel-Fattah, Award winning Author
Dr Umber Rind, Director New Leaf Medical Clinic
Tasneem Chopra, Cross-Cultural Consultant
Nina Azam, Clinical Social Worker, Human Rights Advocate
Tasnim Sammak, Youth advocate
Manal Shehab, Author and Speech Therapist assistant
Aseel Sammak, Famsy Vice President, Youth advocate
Diana Abdel-Rahman, OAM, President, Australian Muslim Voice Inc.
Ferdos Alsabaa, Community Support worker
Fatima Dennaoui, Lawyer
Dr Sara Hassan, Medical doctor
Islamophobia Watch
Mayada El-Taie, Translator and Interpreter
Silma Ihram, Director Diversity Skills Training
Yasmin Khan, Campaigner against Domestic Violence
Nicole Al-Khazrajy, Radiographer
Janine Evans, Community member
Dee Darwiche, Community worker
Meg Sowersby, Teacher
Maria Bhatti, (PhD candidate), Lecturer
Hella Ibrahim, Project Editor
Sara Saleh Human Rights Advocate and Writer
Anam Javed, VCE Biology and Chemistry Teacher
Hanan Dover, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist
Faiza Rehman, lawyer
Tanya Kubitza Community Worker
Fatima Koc Erciyas, Chemistry Teacher
Kathleen El-Ataar, Midwife
Heba Ibrahim, PhD candidate
Rose Bogarts, Community Support worker
Zahra Baho, Horn of Africa Senior Women’s Group Leader
Dr Noor Al-Dasooqi, Research scientist
Lina Ayoubi, Hospital Chaplain
Sera Adalar, Secondary Teacher
Souha Korbatieh Lawyer
Lina Maghrabi, Secondary teacher
Suzanne El-Katatney, Company director
Inaz Janif, Secondary Teacher
Selen Rifat, Disability advocate
Firhana Imam, Business Owner
Rana Yanar, School administrator
Zakia Haque, Scientist, community worker
Samantha Spicer, Teacher
Cindy Rahal, Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Rokaya Nabulsi, Community worker
Ela Tankir, Public servant
Susie Hassan, Assistant Principal
Samah Sabawi, Playwright
Amona Hassab, Humanitarian Support Service Case Manager
Husna Pasha, Occupational Therapist and talk show host
Yasmeen El-Shawy, Graphic designer
Mila Chami, Community worker
Laila Ruzhaji, Community worker
Kelly Dyson, Community member
Jasmin Elnajib Community member
Shanhnaz Hamid Community member
Humaira Hamimi Community member
Angie Safi, Human Resource Manager and Community worker
Ogbaad Jama, SecondaryTeacher
Aza Katar, Social worker