Trivia

Has been under guard since September 2002 when she publicly announced on the radio that although being a Muslim was a part of her identity, she didn't believe in God, confirming herself as an apostate.

Fled to the Netherlands in 1992 where she gained entry as a single Somali woman fleeing danger. She was sent to an asylum seekers' center in Leintern.

Speaks six languages, English, Arabic, Somali, Amharic, Swahili, and Dutch.

Was subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) at the age of five under her grandmother's order. Her father was against it and had told his wife not to have their child mutilated. Her grandmother was appalled and took matters into her own hand.

Her father had married her off to a cousin living in Canada against her wishes. En route to Canada via Germany, she took a train to the Netherlands and, in doing so, walked out on her husband, family, and culture. Her father has since forgiven her and she is now officially 'divorced' from her husband.

In May 2006 she resigned from the Dutch Parliament when the Dutch Minister of Intergration (Rita Verdonk) announced that Ayaan never had received the Dutch nationality because she intentionally provided incorrect information during her application for the Dutch Nationality.

Member of the Dutch House of Representatives from January 30th, 2003 to May 17th, 2006 for the VVD (People's Party for Freedom and Democracy).

In 1995, attended Leiden University to study political science.

From the age of six or seven, she and her family were living the lives of exiles, moving from Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia and to Kenya where they stayed for 10 years.

Currently resides in the US (2007)

Women's rights activist.

Founder, "AHA Foundation".

Her father, a Somali rebel, was arrested by the authorities under the rule of Siad Barre.

Referred to as the "plus one horse woman" since she was originally invited to the 2007 meeting of the "Four Horsemen" Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Daniel Dennett but had to cancel at the last minute.

Attended the 2012 Global Atheist Convention after the death of Christopher Hitchens which he was originally scheduled to attend.

Member of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

Hoover Institution senior fellow.

Critic of Islam.