Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a Somalia-born writer , activist , and former member of the Dutch Parliament . She is an outspoken advocate for women 's rights in Islamic society and a strong critic of Muslim extremism . Outspoken critic of Islam , Ayaan Hirsi Ali . Hirsi Ali fled to the Netherlands in 1992 to escape an arranged marriage in Africa , and served as a member of the Dutch parliament from 2003 to 2006 . In parliament , she promoted the integration of non-Western immigrants into Dutch society and defending the rights of women in Dutch Muslim society . In 2004 , she worked with the late director Theo Van Gogh on the film `` Submission , '' which highlighted the oppression of women in conservative Islamic societies . The airing of the film on Dutch television resulted in the assassination of Mr. Van Gogh by an Islamic extremist , and she went into hiding . Her memoir , `` Infidel , '' published in 2007 , recounts her decision to denounce Islam and become an atheist , and her transformation , she says , from `` the world of faith to the world of reason . '' Ayaan was named one of Time Magazine 's `` 100 Most Influential People of 2005 , '' one of the Glamour Heroes of 2005 , and Reader 's Digest 's `` European of the Year . '' She has also received Norway 's Human Rights Service 's Bellwether of the Year Award , the Danish Freedom Prize , the Swedish Democracy Prize , and the Moral Courage Award for commitment to conflict resolution , ethics , and world citizenship .
Hirsi Ali is an outspoken advocate for women 's rights in Dutch society . Islamic -born activist went into hiding after death of Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh . Hirsi Ali served as Dutch lawmaker from 2006 to 2006 . She was Anamed one of the Dutch Parliament `` 100 Most Influential People of 2005 .