monalisLaM

The geopolitical events of those years introduced me to the story of Ayaan Hirsi Ali—at the time, one of the most admired and controversial political figures. She had burst into international headlines after the murder of Theo van Gogh by an Islamist who also threatened that she would be next.
I was reading her first book, Infidel: My Life, when one afternoon at the playground, my eldest daughter—just two years old—pointed at two women wearing burkas and asked me, “Mom, WHAT are those black THINGS?”
I tried to respond thoughtfully, explaining first and foremost that these are women, and that in some parts of the world, women dress this way. I choose not to offer further commentary, out of respect for their innocence, allowing them the freedom to form their own thoughts.
These drafts were created on that occasion, so I sent them to Ayaan Hirsi Ali, inviting her to do with them as she pleased. You can read the letter that accompanied them on one of my blogs.