Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your immediate feelings after finishing the book? Which emotion or emotions stood out in particular?

2. Which were your favorite sections in the book and why?

3. Have you read other memoirs by writers struggling with their faiths, such as The Atheist Muslim by Ali A Rizvi or Leaving Alexandria by Richard Holloway? How do they compare with Infidel?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Hirsi Ali recounts the various restrictions and injustices she faced growing up as a woman in Africa and the Middle East. How has your gender identity impacted you in your own life?

2. Hirsi Ali wrestles with the Islamic faith of her family throughout the memoir. Have you ever experienced a crisis of faith or cultural values, in which you began to question long-held beliefs and assumptions? How did you resolve that crisis?

3. In Infidel, Hirsi Ali argues that the cost of silence is a tacit approval of atrocities. Have you ever faced a situation in which staying silent would perpetuate an injustice? What did you choose to do, and why?

4. Although the world of Hirsi Ali’s childhood is seemingly very different from that of the average person in the English-speaking world, are there any aspects that seemed familiar to you?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Hirsi Ali is outspoken on her views on Islam. How does Infidel contribute to current debates about gender, religion, and/or immigration in the Western world?

2. Hirsi Ali contends that Western liberal ideas are essential for democracies everywhere, but many critics argue she does not fully engage with the problem and legacy of colonialism. How does her writing reflect, or contribute to, discourses on postcolonialism and human rights?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Compare and contrast Infidel with Hirsi Ali’s other memoir, Nomad. What thematic preoccupations do both memoirs share? How has Hirsi Ali changed, or not changed, across the events of both memoirs?

2. Analyze the relationship between Hirsi Ali and her father. How does Hirsi Ali characterize her father? How does their relationship reflect the gender dynamics of her familial and cultural contexts more generally?

3. Choose one of the key settings in the memoir, such as Somalia or the Netherlands. How is this place described? What is its wider significance in the memoir?

4. Discuss the memoir’s use of Somali sayings, folktales, and anecdotes. How does Hirsi Ali use these elements to illuminate some of her key themes and ideas?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If this book were adapted into a movie, who would you cast in the roles of Ayaan, Hirsi, Asha, Ayeeyo, and Haweya?

2. Create an abstract painting with different colors representing the memoir’s key themes. Take turns sharing why you chose the colors and what they mean in this context.