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She's not just protesting against her personal experience as a Muslim girl/woman in the Sudan, but against Islam as an entire religion. If the entirety of her story was someone who fought against female oppression, there wouldn't be a problem. But, she goes on the record referring to Islam as “a destructive, nihilistic cult of death.” No American university is going to be handing her an honorary degree with that on the resume.
She's an atheist. What if she had said that Christianity was a destructive, nihilistic cult of death, and it wasn't just a quote taken out of context, but a theme to which she returns again and again in public speeches? Would we be okay with handing her an honorary degree? I hope not.
Islam is a false religion and is destructive of liberty and not only women's rights but of human rights. The intent of Islamists are to wipe out all other religions by whatever means. They are liars and bigots, and CAIR should be recognized for what it is, and denied it's tax exempt status. It is nothing but a propaganda organization, with the ultimate goal of Islamizing America. It is anything but a "religion of peace." It is a religion of death, quite literally.
Also, the original poster states "she suffered horrors in Africa under strict Islamic law", referring to genital mutilation, beatings, and an arranged marriage. NONE of these items are required in Islam. I don't deny that they occur in areas of the Middle East in and Africa, where the population is predominantly Muslim, but it is a cultural tradition, practiced by some Christians and tribal religions in the area as well. I've worked and been friendly with many European-background Muslim women; not a single one of them has had these experiences.
If Ali had voiced her opinion on these specific cultural practices rather than the religion as a whole, she'd have my support.
Really? That is a bald faced lie, and you know it.
Double standard - and afraid of Islamic nutbars. Would they ban an atheist making the same statements about Christianity?
A few years ago they gave an honorary degree to Tony Kushner who said "“The biggest supporters of Israel are the most repulsive members of the Jewish community". At the time the university President explained:
"Brandeis bestows honorary degrees as a means of acknowledging the outstanding accomplishments or contributions of individual men and women in any of a number of fields of human endeavor. Just as Brandeis does not inquire into the political opinions and beliefs of faculty or staff before appointing them, or students before offering admission, so too the University does not select honorary degree recipients on the basis of their political beliefs or opinions.
The university was probably threatened by CAIR and other Islamist extremists.
Islam should be recognized for what it is. It is a cult, not a religion. Mohammed was a nut case who was elevated to some kind of "prophet" by ignorant people. The entire Koran is nothing but gobbledegook.
Islam is a false religion and is destructive of liberty and not only women's rights but of human rights. The intent of Islamists are to wipe out all other religions by whatever means. They are liars and bigots, and CAIR should be recognized for what it is, and denied it's tax exempt status. It is nothing but a propaganda organization, with the ultimate goal of Islamizing America. It is anything but a "religion of peace." It is a religion of death, quite literally.
And this view is one that would be welcome to be discussed on campus, but has no place being honored with an honorary degree.
I am unsure why Ali continues to remark about not being able to speak at Brandeis' commencement. She was NEVER going to speak - the commencement SPEAKER does that and she was not asked to be the speaker from the get-go (oh noes, censoring!). No one is silencing her, no one is taking away her 1st Amendment rights - there are consequences to using the 1st Amendment.
This decision was also made long before CAIR got involved. It is really hilarious to me seeing everyone talk about how much money CAIR and Muslims must give. Do they know nothing about Brandeis?
She suffered horrors in Africa under strict Islamic laws. She became a member of the Dutch government and has spoken out against Islam based upon her life experiences. An American university was going to honor her with an honorary degree. Professors and muslim students protested loudly and the university backed down.
It was CAIR that was the chief trouble maker which pressured the university. CAIR, doing what it always does.
It appears that most of the people who practice FGM today are Muslim. But many Muslims don't practice it, and not all who practice it are Muslims. It's not in the Koran, anymore than it is in the Bible or the Torah.
Edited to add: It's ignorant and horrifying, and should be illegal everywhere.
Hirsan Ali is an outspoken atheist who escaped from marriage prison. I admire her immensely. Brandeis - not so much.
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