Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a prominent activist, politician, and writer known for her courageous advocacy of women's rights and freedom of speech, particularly within the context of Islam. Born in Somalia, she escaped a forced marriage and sought asylum in the Netherlands, where she eventually obtained Dutch citizenship and served as a member of the Dutch Parliament. Hirsi Ali is widely recognized for her controversial critique of Islam and its treatment of women, which has garnered both praise and criticism.