Sunday, November 18, 2007 | Reason : In the News | print version

URGENT APPEAL: Please Help Protect Ayaan Hirsi Ali

by Sam Harris

UPDATE: Sam Harris has provided answers to some questions raised about this fund here:
http://richarddawkins.net/article,1898,Frequently-Asked-Questions-about-the-Ayaan-Hirsi-Ali-Security-Trust,Sam-Harris

See:
http://www.samharris.org/site/security_trust/

Ayaan Hirsi Ali is the most prominent advocate of free speech and women's rights in the Muslim world, and for this she must live under perpetual armed guard, even in the West. Unfortunately, on October 1st of this year, the Dutch government officially rescinded its promise to protect her. Now, Ayaan Hirsi Ali's friends, colleagues and admirers must come to her aid.

I have created a page on my website that links directly to the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Security Trust. The money raised by this trust will pay Ayaan Hirsi Ali's security expenses. In the event that money remains after these costs have been met, it will be used to encourage and protect other dissidents in the Muslim world.

The ongoing protection of Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a moral obligation. It is also a strategic one: for here is a woman doing work that most of us cannot do--indeed, would be terrified to do if given the chance--and yet this work is essential for preserving the freedoms we take for granted in the West.

If every reader of this email simply pledged ten dollars a month to protect Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the costs of her security would be covered for as long as the threat to her life remains.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

Sam Harris

Ayaan Hirsi Ali
In 2005, TIME included Ayaan Hirsi Ali in its list of the World's 100 Most Influential People. If you would like to know more about her, please read Christopher Caldwell's fine profile in the New York Times Magazine. You can also read the essay that Salman Rushdie and I recently published in the Los Angeles Times, or the one that Christopher Hitchens wrote for Slate.

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1. Comment #88817 by Appleby on November 19, 2007 at 3:06 am

Even if something were to happen to Ayaan Hirsi Ali, we can rest assured there will be others who will follow in her example. Our time has come.

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2. Comment #88836 by Appleby on November 19, 2007 at 3:50 am

I wonder if we'll also be obliged to finance the protection of every other Muslim who stands up against Islam or is it just the pretty ones?

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3. Comment #88865 by Appleby on November 19, 2007 at 5:01 am

I'm sure we're all open-minded enough not to be swayed by comments either way. Unless of course, there are some people who think that only supportive comments should be made lest others be dissuaded from making a contribution. And seriously though, are they really expecting to get 4 to 6 million dollars out of us for this? Part of "coming out" is assuming the risks just like everyone else.

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4. Comment #88872 by Appleby on November 19, 2007 at 5:20 am

63. Comment #88868 by SilentMike on November 19, 2007 at 5:12 am

Some of us assume greater risks than others.

And some of us are simply more popular.

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5. Comment #88877 by Appleby on November 19, 2007 at 5:35 am

66. Comment #88875 by SilentMike on November 19, 2007 at 5:30 am
That's a good point appleby. I don't know about you but I have yet to receive any concrete death threats in my many years of atheism.

Tell that to every Muslim girl in the third world who decides one day to become an atheist.

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6. Comment #88917 by Appleby on November 19, 2007 at 6:59 am

"In the event that money remains after these costs have been met, it will be used to encourage and protect other dissidents in the Muslim world."

And if the costs are not met? Sorry Sam, but money can't buy freedom. Not in the Muslim world.

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7. Comment #89037 by Appleby on November 19, 2007 at 2:53 pm

PS: (SilentMike) Appleby's comments were removed. He crossed the line.

Dear Josh,

As an administrator of the site, I have to say you have read very negatively into (apparently ALL) my comments and perhaps your judgement was clouded by some of our more emotional members. I certainly did not suggest that Ayaan should die as a martyr but merely responded to SOMEONE ELSE'S question about how I would feel IF it happened. I also did not ONCE say I would not donate something myself even though I might have questioned the general idea of trying to raise millions for one Muslim dissident's personal protection. Your actions and the comments of many others here have however, illustrated the point that atheists - despite claiming to be rational - are generally quick to adopt the methods used by theists to quell any opposition to particular, mainstream viewpoints. If there are any hard line theists in our midst, they are certainly enjoying a good laugh. Your erasing of my comments was certainly out of line and I'm sure if Richard Dawkins or Sam Harris himself were to read them, they would not have done the same thing.

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8. Comment #89144 by Appleby on November 19, 2007 at 8:39 pm

Well I don't know why exactly I've been sidelined into the "Alternate Comment Thread" but am glad there is at least some semblance of free inquiry on this site in that I've not been completely silenced for my dissenting views. Never mind that Josh has irreversibly intimidated other atheists from "stepping out of line" (whatever that means at this particular moment) and shamed me with the label "troll", which I am certainly not. Here's what I think. We are (perhaps unconsciously) unnecessarily showing a special kind of support to Ayaan because she's a black woman. White people (liberals in America, especially) are so ashamed of their racist past - and they should be - that they will use an example like Ayaan to prove to the world that they are no longer like that. So much in fact, we probably wouldn't go as far for even a white woman. If it takes millions of dollars to protect each Muslim dissident like Ayaan, we are fighting a losing battle or at the very least, taking the wrong approach. I admire Ayaan for all the things she does for free thought but she is a poor example for the rest of the Muslim world and girls like her former self. How many of them would receive the same support and protection from us when they no doubt face a similar threat? We are sending the wrong message to future dissidents in the Muslim world and might even be responsible for *their* deaths which we simply cannot afford to prevent. If Ayaan's life really is so threatened, perhaps she shouldn't be doing any of this at all or stop doing it now. It certainly isn't worth her life. She's better off living out her days quietly somewhere. A few bodyguards are not going to stop determined extremists from getting their way, especially with all her public appearances and their willingness to give up even their own lives.

I never used to give much credence to the theist argument that "religion is not to blame for its bad reputation but the people who practice it are" until my experience in this thread. It's obvious being an atheist does not rid people of their tendencies to silence dissenters and unfairly persist in what "they think is right" for everyone. I'm sure some posters would like me banned altogether and prevented from ever posting again in any thread. What does this tell us about the future of atheism? I've never been less proud to be an atheist than I am now. And Josh, until you reinstate my comments as part of the regular thread, you are setting a very bad example - especially as the administrator! - for all atheists who come here. What would Richard Dawkins do in your position? I'm sure it's NOT this. Those who genuinely believe in giving money to this cause will do so regardless of what others say. Unless you think most of us atheists cannot think for ourselves and are easily taken in by "foolish" arguments.

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9. Comment #89186 by Appleby on November 20, 2007 at 12:44 am

I've been reading the regular thread and am frankly amazed. Why is everyone worshiping Josh and trembling at his every word for simply running this site? You'd think the Richard Dawkins FOUNDATION would be able to afford a full time administrator that doesn't need a superficial pat on the back just to do his job. We atheists are becoming a sorry lot and very much like a religion starting out. Every time there's a problem, just milk the community for more money. Sheesh! We've also got some people (cough! Logicel cough!) trying to throw political correctness at us or threaten to leave. Good riddance to people like her, I say.

You know, I kind of hope Ayaan gets her 4 or 6 (even 10) million dollars from us. It'll certainly encourage a lot more people to "come out". They'd have to write a bestseller first, though. Otherwise you're not worth protecting.

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