The American Enterprise Institute has opened up several funds for paying for Hirsi Ali's protection. A Dutch fund is being set up by Britta Böhler's law firm. It's quite interesting that Böhler is representing Hirsi Ali. Reading up on the Hofstad group recently, I've run into her name quite often.. as the one representing the defendants. In other words, Böhler, a lawyer used to representing terrorists, who had defended Mohammad Bouyeri's friends in the Hofstad group trials, is now representing Hirsi Ali, the person whom Bouyeri threatened to kill and because of whom she now needs quite expensive round-the-clock guards. It's hard for me to understand how both these women agree to work together. (See here and here for more info)
Persecuted author Ayaan Hirsi Ali said she was 'touched and honoured' by Denmark's offer of protected residence but is choosing to stay in the United States.
On Sunday, the culture minister, Brian Mikkelsen, said Denmark would give the 37-year-old Dutch-Ethiopian author asylum. The offer was made under the provisions established by the International City of Refuge Network, where 'free cities' are established for writers whose lives have been threatened because of their publications.
Ali's plight received worldwide attention after director Theo Van Gogh was murdered last year by a Muslim fanatic. Ali had written the manuscript to Van Gogh's 'Submission', a critical short film about Islam.
The Dutch government rescinded its official protection of Ali at the beginning of the month, stating it was no longer a feasible undertaking with the author living in the US.
Ali said in an interview that it made more sense for her to remain in the United States.
'I thank you with all my heart for the offer, but my home and my work are in the US,' she said. 'So right now I'm concentrating on securing the means for my safety here.'
Ali has worked at the Washington, DC-based think-tank American Enterprise Institute for several years.
She was given the Danish award Venstres Frihedspris in 2004 for her courage in speaking out against fundamentalism despite receiving death threats.
She said Denmark and its support of free speech deserved a special place in her heart.
'When my security issues in the US are resolved, Denmark will be the first country I visit in Europe.'
Sources: Copenhagen Post (English), Expatica (English)
See also: Denmark: Gov't offers Hirsi Ali asylum
