Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now

“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 world. . . . How extraordinary that it is a Somali, who was educated in Saudi Arabia and Kenya . . . who defends with such conviction and passion the culture of freedom, the West’s best contribution to the world, before an apathetic and skeptical Western audience.” —Nobel Prize–winning writer Mario Vargas Llosa, translated from El País “There is no denying that her words are brave.” —Susan Dominus, Business Standard (India)“Ali’s book Heretic deserves attention for its brave and serious discussion of Islamic reformation. And Ayaan Hirsi Ali certainly deserves to be called ‘hero’ for writing it.” —Scott Cawelti, WCF Courier (Waterloo, Iowa)“Heretic is not a work of theology. It is a public intervention in which Hirsi Ali argues that the suppression of critical thinking is Islam’s greatest problem. This is a perspective that will be met with scorn and violence in many countries of the world. The author’s enemies may even cause her harm for her beliefs. Hirsi Ali’s hope is that being a heretic will enable her eventually to become a reformer.” —Michael D. Langan, The Buffalo News“Heretic proposes a path for Islam . . . that could be of immense importance, not only for Muslims but for the whole world. . . . Hirsi Ali’s project of stripping away Quranic fanaticism deserves widespread attention and support from the West. How close we are to the birth of an enlightened Islam is very hard to say. But when we reach it, as it seems we must, historians may look back to find Hirsi Ali holding the razor blade.” —National Review