BOOK REVIEWS Parent Books Continued Raised as a member of a Muslim clan in various politically turbulent Islamic nations, Ali fled to Amsterdam to escape an arranged marriage. Her journey traversed the “diluted” mystical Islam of her grandmother, the barbaric female circumcision of which she was a victim, and devout belief under the outwardly protective umbrella of the growing Muslim Brotherhood. Catapulted into the international spotlight in 2004 when her colleague, Theo VanGogh, was murdered in Amsterdam by Islamic extremists who vowed a similar end to Ali for her role in producing a controversial film about Islam, she escaped to the US to become a voice for women’s rights, often denied within Islam. Although Christians may be disappointed by Ali’s conclusion of an absolute dichotomy between any brand of religion and reason, she points us poignantly toward the transcendent human experiences of love and the yearning of the human soul for validation and expression regardless of religious conviction. Still, Ali is a strong post-9/11 voice pointing toward a real and meaningful link between Islam and terrorism. A difficult yet compelling read (not intended for young audiences), Ali’s story may be one step on a road toward true understanding. A Christian University in Hamilton, Ontario At Redeemer, community extends to more than friendships with students — my professors have been incredibly supportive, creating a Christian community where I’ve grown in so many ways, inside and outside the classroom. - Julie P. Social Work major, Dorchester, Ontario ReAd mORe at MyRedeemer.ca/Julie