Ayaan Hirsi Ali should feel welcome in New Zealand

ACT Leader David Seymour is deeply saddened that Ayaan Hirsi Ali feels unable to come to New Zealand and Australia due to threats of violence, as reported this afternoon in Australian media.

'Nobody should have their freedom of speech shut down in the face of violence,” said Mr Seymour, who had purchased tickets to the Auckland event.

'The Prime Minister should reach out to Ayaan Hirsi Ali and assure her that whatever has been threatened in Australia, in New Zealand we're proud to have a free society where we battle with ideas, not threats of violence.”

The controversial speaker and vocal critic of Islam Ayaan Hirsi Ali has cancelled her speaking tour of Australia and New Zealand, citing security concerns.

Hirsi Ali's Hero of Heresy tour was due to begin in Brisbane on Thursday, before taking her to Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland.

In a statement Think Inc, the event organiser, says the cancellation is due to a 'number of reasons including security concerns”.

The 47-year-old Somali-born activist, author and former politician previously received death threats for her strident criticism of Islam. Her appearances in Australia have been opposed by a group of prominent Muslim women, who says that she espouses 'hate-mongering and bigotry” Guardian Australia reports.

Hana Assafiri, a Melbourne Muslim activist who campaigned against Hirsi Ali's appearance, says Hirsi Ai is being held accountable for her 'divisive discourse”.