Fidelma Anne O'Leary, former Irish Catholic and Professor of Biology at Saint Edwards University in Texas made waves when she converted to Islam. The tall, blonde-haired and green-eyed Anglo-Saxon woman certainly didn't look like the Western world's conception of the average Muslim woman. And for a short while, the story of her awakening, her subsequent rejection of Catholicism and her vows of Muslim submission to Allah captured the attention of the United States of America. It's been six years since the story broke out. What has Fidelma Ann O'Leary been up to since then? Well, tonight she was on a debate on the FOX News Channel with renowned conservative political activist, popular author and infamously anti-Muslim public personality Ann Coulter. The debate on Fox News launched a firestorm in the media, especially since it touched all the danger zones. The spots were the dogs of political correctness said you couldn't tread.
North America differs from the European Union in that it doesn't have as many Muslims, and the average American or Canadian is far more open-minded than a citizen of Britain or France, where Muslims are seen as a threat. Conservative politicians in Britain and France often argue that they oppose radical Islam because of terrorism concerns, and also a concern for women's rights. Ann Coulter took up the euro-centric model as she clashed with Saint Edwards University professor and Muslim convert Fidelma Ann O'Leary. What a sharp contrast between the mindsets of these two women. They're both tall, blonde, gorgeous and famous. One is a fierce opponent of all things Islamic, which she views as a threat to democracy, women's rights, and the Western culture's way of life in general. The other is a staunch advocate of Islam who converted after years of questioning the most basic tenets of the Roman Catholic faith.
Ann Coulter, in her trademark outspoken conservative style, fired shot after shot. Ann Coulter looked Fildelma Ann O'Leary straight in the eyes and accused her of being brainwashed by radical Islam. Fidelma Ann O'Leary was a bit shocked by Ann Coulter's accusation but the Irish-born Muslim woman came prepared. She knew of Ann Coulter's reputation as an anti-liberal, anti-Islam activist worldwide. Ann Coulter was not the kind of woman who believed in mincing words. She seldom held back in an argument and she always staunchly defended her views. Well, Fidelma Ann O'Leary was determined to prove to her that the stereotypes about Muslim women being submissive wenches and pushovers weren't truth. Even though she often wore the hijab and had taken pilgrimages to Mecca, Fidelma Ann O'Leary still had that Irish fire in her blood. In a stern and very professorial voice she counterattacked and accused Ann Coulter of being a radical Christian fundamentalist and of pandering to the religious right and the ring wing agenda. Ann Coulter smiled, and said that she was one hundred percent committed to defending the United States of America and the rights of women worldwide from the sexism and gendered violence of Patriarchal Islam.
Fidelma Ann O'Leary smiled nervously and stood her ground. Looking the camera straight in the eyes, she said that Islam didn't oppress women any more than Catholicism did, citing that the Pope still refused to allow female priests in the Roman Catholic Church. Ann Coulter grinned in a most feral way, and fired back. The conservative author said that the Catholic church had its faults but unlike Islam, it didn't condone honor killings of women by their husbands or male relatives whenever they got out of line. Fidelma Ann O'Leary's eyes darkened. The Irish female Muslim was seething with anger, but she hid it well. Glaring malevolently at Ann Coulter, she countered that Christian men could and did mistreat women. Ann Coulter laughed like a crow, and said that at least Christianity didn't condone violence against women and the murder of 'unbelievers'. Fidelma Ann O'Leary gritted her teeth, and said that Islam was a religion of peace and tolerance. Ann Coulter laughed so hard and so wickedly that the silent host of the Debate, Sean Hannity, winced. Sean Hannity held his hands up. However, both women ignored him. And the Fox News Channel's Nielsen ratings for that hour skyrocketed as Americans nationwide watched a verbal catfight between two sexy blondes, one a radical Christian conservative and anti-Muslim activist and the other an academic who was now a staunch supporter of all things Islamic. This was better than Pay Per View!