With thanks to the ABC.

Listen to me discuss growing up in conversation with Richard Fidler at: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/anne-aly/11410120?fbclid=IwAR1ES-dA-pIKomz64ppc218m_geTCXu67OxkohWsNzLw9hi6QhOJ6IKwhuA

"As the second-born daughter in an Egyptian family, Anne Aly knew what was expected of her - but she’s never been one to follow the rules. 

After her family emigrated to Australia when Anne was a toddler, she grew up cultivating two versions of herself; dutiful daughter earning top marks at school, and secret radical, reading feminist books in her bedroom. 

Anne eventually attended the American University in Cairo. She met her husband in Egypt, and they later moved to Perth. The marriage was violent, and after a second child, Anne left. Her time as a struggling single mother left an indelible mark on her life. 

After September 11, Anne witnessed attacks on Muslims in Australia and saw first-hand and the government’s attempts to stem extremism.

She decided to go back to university, becoming a leading expert in counter-terrorism. 

Anne doesn’t like the idea of being known as the first, but when she arrived in Canberra in 2016 to be sworn into Parliament, she became the first ever Muslim woman, first Arab, first Egyptian-born and the first counter-terrorism expert to take a seat in the House."