Product Description 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 5 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. Review “Concise, optimistic; the book is compassionate and provides real insight into how a peaceful Islam might reconcile the religion’s demands with the realities of modern society.” —NRC Handelsblad (NL) “[Ayaan Hirsi Ali] offers five ‘amendments’ to Islam, some of which are breathtaking in their sweep. . . . An optimistic book.” —Women in the World / The New York Times “A constructive book, that explores the experiences of the Arab Spring and in [Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s opinion] shows that not only can Islam change from within, but that it already is in the process of heading down the road of secularization.” —Der Spiegel “Interesting and persuasive. . . . [Hirsi Ali] goes to work with much reasonability and significant knowledge of the subject matter. Heretic could indeed have a Lutheran effect.” —Vrij Nederland “Hirsi Ali’s vital, eloquent and clear-sighted manifesto should be read and heeded by anyone concerned with the advancement of liberty.” —The Times “Thought-provoking. . . . [Heretic] deserves to be widely read and discussed.” —The Sunday Times “How Hirsi Ali came to denounce her faith was the basis for her earlier book, the global bestseller Infidel, a sharp polemic against Islam nestled inside a rich literary memoir. . . . Infidel and Nomad, the book that followed it, were both compelling because of the intimacy of Hirsi Ali’s voice and the painful details of her upbringing, which included physical abuse doled out in the name of a religious education and sexist subjugation. . . . There is no denying that her words are brave.” —Susan Dominus, The New York Times Book Review “I found it shatteringly convincing, every page. Wake up, world. Please overcome prejudice & read it. . . . It’s the most important book I’ve read for years.” —Richard Dawkins “Hirsi Ali’s project of stripping away Quranic fanaticism deserves widespread attention and support from the West.” —Brian Stewart, National Review “[Hirsi Ali] is one of the most valuable adversaries of Islamic fanatics. Islamic fanatics wanted to bring her to an end and they have not managed to do so, it is not impossible that they will keep trying as she is one of the most articulate, influential and valuable adversaries which they have in the wor
Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now
#ad
Author: Hirsi Ali, Ayaan
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780345808820
Details:
Author: Hirsi Ali, Ayaan
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Hardcover
Format: International Edition
Number Of Pages: 288
Release Date: 24-03-2015
Package Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches Languages: English
EAN: 9780345808820
