Dutch liberal politicians and Islamic front groups are smiling at the news of Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s departure. Apparently Hirsi Ali was the only thing standing in the way of a utopian harmonious society: Hirsi Ali - reactions.

She’s no loss to Netherlands - Wiegel

The coming departure of Ayaan Hirsi Ali from the Dutch parliament is “no loss for the Liberal Party (VVD)” or for the Lower House of Parliament, former VVD leader Hans Wiegel said on Monday. He was commenting on the news, Hirsi Ali is moving to the US to work for a political think tank American Enterprise Institute (AEI). Wiegel, who is known for speaking his mind, told a radio programme Hirsi Ali is a “brave woman” but her standpoints are polarising. He cited her views on the freedom of education and minority groups as examples. “I did not agree with this line,” he said. Wiegel said he did not think much will be heard of Hirsi Ali again once she takes up her job in the US. “That I don’t find so bad,” he said. …

Muslim group not mourning

The Contact Organisation for Muslims and Government (CMO) indicated on Monday it was not sorry that Ayaan Hirsi Ali is going to American to work. Her strong attacks on Islam have caused “a lot of damage”, CMO secretary Nasr Joemman said. “I celebrate that she is leaving the Netherlands,” Joemman said. “I hope that by her departure we can move forward with building a harmonious society.”

Dutch intellectuals sniff that Hirsi Ali will be oppressed by the religious fanatics at the American Enterprise Institute:

Researcher Peter van Ham of the Clingendael Institute said Ayaan Hirsi Ali will be out of place at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). “You would sooner expect Geert Wilders to be there than Hirsi Ali,” he said in reaction to the news she is leaving the Netherlands to work for the AEI. According to Van Ham the AEI is a very conservative institute that has flourished since President George W. Bush came to power. “It is definitely not a liberal bastion,” he said. Hirsi Ali, he predicted, will not be encouraged to express liberal views about euthanasia, homosexuality and abortion. “The people who work there have a very religiously-tinted worldview. I think Hirsi Ali will feel totally claustrophobic there.”