I should be busy with Passover preparations, or even better getting some sleep.
But I read that Brandeis students and faculty want the university to withdraw an honorary degree being offered to Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
“When the University announced this year’s honorary degree recipients, one choice stood out—Ayaan Hirsi Ali. As a Fellow with the Future of Diplomacy Project at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, Hirsi Ali has raised awareness of violence against women, focusing on honor killings and female genital mutilation.
Hirsi Ali, however, has been outspoken about her Islamophobic beliefs. We urge University President Frederick Lawrence to rescind Hirsi Ali’s invitation to receive an honorary degree at this year’s commencement.”
Just how ignorant are US students and their teachers? Have they ever heard Hirsi Ali’s story? Who in the world came up with this in the student paper?
I confess I was ignorant until June 20, 2012. I had never heard of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, but she was on a panel at the Israel President’s Conference in Jerusalem, Israel.
On the panel “Look at Tomorrow,” moderated by Udi Segal, were familiar names; Gabi Ashkenasi of IDF fame, Leon Wieseltier of literary fame, and Dennis Ross of US political fame.
But it was Hirsi Ali who stole the show, as she stood tall and proud on the stage and told her story and journey.
She was born into a Muslim family. But Brandeis calls her Islamophobic because she dares to criticize Islamic extremism?
If it is wrong for Hirsi Ali to warn of dangers of extreme Islam, then Brandeis has more to worry about than defending their Muslim students.
We all have more to worry about if this is the education that they are receiving.
What are the “real beliefs” of the Brandeis University campus that try to squash the voice of Ayaan Hirsi Ali?
After I went to sleep, it seems Islamic terrorism has won again.
Following a discussion today between President Frederick Lawrence and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Ms. Hirsi Ali’s name has been withdrawn as an honorary degree recipient at this year’s commencement.
Full statement HERE.
Must run now feeling ill.
