'Islam…Is Not a Religion of Peace': Ex-Muslim Activist Calls for Major Reform of the Faith

Activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Muslim-turned-atheist who is calling for major reforms to Islam, has never been shy about criticizing her former faith, proclaiming in an interview with ABC's "This Week" that Islam is "not a religion of peace."

"Islam, unreformed today, is not a religion of peace," Ali said, going on to categorize modern-day Muslims into three groups: Medina believers, Mecca adherents or dissidents.

She said that Medina Muslims are those who apply "anything and everything" that Prophet Muhammad did after he immigrated to Medina.

"They apply the Koran literally," Ali said, noting that the Islamic State and other extremist groups would fall under this umbrella.

She said that she believes Mecca Muslims account for the largest group and that its adherents are "peace loving," with the dissidents working to try and convince the Mecca adherents to embrace positive changes within the faith.

Despite her atheism, Ali also defended her right, among other activists, to serve as a voice for reform.

"All of us who are born into Islam, the minute we start to criticize religion within we're labeled heretics, apostates. We're condemned to death," she said. "Change is going to come from the heretics."

Watch the interview below:

Ali, whose new book "Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now" tackles this very subject, has been a fierce critic of her former faith for quite some time.

Controversy over her views led Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, to withdraw an honorary degree she was scheduled to receive during commencement last year — a decision she called "deplorable."

(H/T: Mediaite)