Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a Somali-born Dutch-American activist, author, and former politician known for her outspoken views on Islam and women's rights. Born on November 13, 1969, she fled her home country to escape an arranged marriage and eventually sought asylum in the Netherlands. Hirsi Ali gained international attention for her criticism of Islam and her advocacy for secularism and feminism. She served as a member of the Dutch Parliament and has written several books, including "Infidel" and "Heretic." Hirsi Ali's work often focuses on the challenges faced by women in Muslim societies and promotes the idea of reforming Islam to align with modern values.