Somali-born author and former Dutch member of parliament Ayaan Hirsi Ali has appealed worldwide for help to fund her protection. She says she is daily receiving death threats because of her open criticism of extreme islam.

Her dreams may be about to come true as French politicians and intellectuals come to her rescue.  They have responded by offering her worldwide protection but only if she takes up French citizenship. The Dutch government is refusing to protect her outside the country.

In 2004, Ms Hirsi Ali collaborated with Theo van Gogh on the film "Submission," which examined the link between Islamic law and the suffering of millions of women under Islam.

Van Gogh was murdered by a Dutch islamic extremist and Ayaan Hirsi Ali has been living under 24 hour protection.

After resigning from the Dutch parliament, Hirsi Ali moved to the United States to work for the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research. In October 2007 the Dutch government decided it would no longer fund her personal security when she is abroad. Ayaan Hirsi Ali has since been looking for funds to pay her own protection.

Why has Ms Hirsi Ali come to Paris, expecting France to do what the Dutch refuse? She explains:

"It's the outrage, expressed by French intellectuals at the decision of the current Dutch administration to stop protecting me, that gives me strength and hope. Strength, to go on fighting injustices to women in the name of Islam. And hope that my life will be protected, if not by the Dutch government, then hopefully by the French government. One more [bit of] practice in French:
Je serais honorée d'avoir la possibilité de devenir française. Merci beaucoup.
[She would consider it an honour to become a French citizen.]

 1 2 Next >