Because you always listen to people who tell you what you want to hear. Those who are wise question things that sound too good. A quick look at who’s in the Oval Office will tell you that we are not led by the wise.

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In addition to having beautiful cheek bones, the lady has many important questions to believers in Islam.   It is her questions more than anything else that tend to have people take her seriously.

Ali’s contribution to the debate on Islam is needed.

How can a Muslim say this, well it is easy, I have seen the gender gap in terms of power played out in Iranian/Afghan culture where molestation is unfortunately a "dirty secret" in my family.

However, unlike Ali, who engages in a generalization gloss of the whole religion of Islam, I understand that Islam is neither liberating or oppressive, the religion can be either or and/or a combination of both, depending on the context.

If we are speaking in terms of the gender gap that requires closing (which I agree with), then there are far better female speakers to engage with. Amina Wadud and Kecia Ali come to mind right away. no, it’s Hirsi Ali’s notoriety that is her most compelling characteristic.

My problem is simple; she generalizes far too much, gets her facts wrong and uses platitudes where true, honest introspection is needed. Humanist platitudes are for those unwilling to get their hands dirty; I prefer the kind of soul-searching, erudite debate that some of our Muslimahs prefer to engage in.