Infidel

In the books “Infidel” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali and “Strength in What Remains” by Tracy Kidder, both contain main characters that move from a closed, destitute society to a more open and prosperous society. Ayaan and Deo respectively go through extremely tough individual journeys and astonishingly make a name for themselves in these societies through their strong, individualistic, and persistent attitudes.

Ayaan, born a Muslim in Somalia traveling throughout her younger years to Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nairobi, and Mogadishu constantly moving and going through her own personal and family hardships and following strict religious conventions. After her father’s plan for her to go to Canada to wed and live with Osman Mahamud, she came to a realization that she wanted to make her own decisions and become a person with her own life starting out in Europe. The western culture had a leniency about it juxtaposed to living in a Muslim society, where Ayaan could create her own path and views. Through her process of gaining refugee status in Holland, graduating from Leiden University, being able to vote, and becoming a member of the Dutch Parliament she really began to branch out as an individual. Her sister Haweya, called Ayaan a kufr, and described her “Western ideas as sort of a virus that was slowly destroying [her] moral values” (Ali, 248). Ayaan had a sense of independence where she did not care what others thought and was able to compare what was said in the Quran to the values in the West, and she began a crusade to stand up for the improvement of the oppressed Muslim women. Even with constant threats against her life she persistently stood up for what she believed and was a successful and inspirational woman, even when many people in her closed society may not agree.

Deo survived a treacherous journey through the genocides between the Hutu’s and Tutsi’s in Burundi and Rwanda going through more horrific sights than one can imagine. It all started when the...