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Journalists must acknowledge incompatible differences between Islamic and Western beliefs to effectively facilitate debate between them, [said] Ayaan Hirsi Ali, an advocate for women's rights in Islamic cultures.
Speaking at the National Press Club [on June 18], the Somali-born Hirsi Ali said the 21st century began with a battle of ideas "about the values of the West versus those of Islam."
"Journalists face the unpleasant reality of taking sides or getting lost in the incoherence of the so-called middle ground," she said. "Why are Westerners so insecure about everything that is so wonderful about the West: political freedom, free press, freedom of expression, equal rights . . . . and especially faith?" Hirsi Ali asked.
She said Western journalists appeared hesitant to defend free speech - "the very right from which they earn their bread."
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