International Islam critic Ayaan Hirsi Ali has accused The Project host Waleed Aly of downplaying the threat of ISIS so the terror group can 'quietly expand'.

The ex-Muslim writer, who grew up in Somalia, launched a scathing critique of the Gold Logie-awarding winning Muslim media personality's argument that ISIS is weak, in an editorial that went viral online.

She compared his arguments about the Islamist terror group to political doublespeak in the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Waleed Aly told viewers after the Paris terrorist attacks that ISIS was actually weak

'With statements like that, tell him we've all read George Orwell, you want to turn things around and turn things on their head, we know exactly what you want to do,' she told 7News.

'Don't talk about ISIS because it empowers them.

'Gee. So let's all pretend ISIS is not there so that they can quietly expand. That's basically what he means.'

In November 2015, Waleed Aly told viewers on The Project ISIS was weak, following the terrorist attacks in Paris that killed 130 people and wounded hundreds of others.

'I know it doesn't look like it right now but it's the truth and they don't want you to know it which is why is it something we should talk about,' he said in his editorial which was viewed more than 16 million times online.

The 38-year-old Network Ten personality was previously an executive member of the Islamic Council of Victoria, whose board members have proposed separate sharia law courts in Australia.

In this same interview, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, 47, launched a scathing attack on sharia law and compared the burqa to a 'very big swastika'.

She made the comments on Tuesday after cancelled her upcoming Australian speaking tour over security fears.

'The burqa that covers the face... that is just like the ISIS flag. It's like wearing a very big swastika,' she said.

Controversial Islam critic Ayaan Hirsi Ali (pictured) has launched a scathing attack on Sharia law and compared the burqa to a 'very big swastika'

Ms Hirsi Ali was forced to cancel her upcoming Australian speaking tour over security fears

'Everywhere where Sharia law is applied women are robbed of their rights and their dignity.

'I cannot think of a system of law that dehumanises and degrades women more than Islamic law,' she said.

Ms Hirsi Ali also called for Islamic schools to be banned 'in Australia and all other liberal societies.'

The outspoken Islam critic was subjected to female genital mutilation as a child and set up the AHA Foundation to campaign against the barbaric practice.

Ms Hirsi Ali also compared the burqa to an Islamic State flag. Above, men and women dressed in burqas from the group 'Faceless' call for the banning of the conservative Muslim apparel

'The burqa that covers the face... that is just like the ISIS flag. It's like wearing a very big swastika,' she said. Above, she attends a book presentation in Germany in 2015

She became an lawmaker in the Netherlands after seeking political asylum there in 1992 in an attempt to escape an arranged marriage to a cousin.

For years she has lived with tight security as a result of her stance on radical Islamists.

Ms Hirsi Ali was due to speak at events in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland this week.

Organisers of her trip Think Inc advised on Monday of the cancellation.

Ms Hirsi Ali became an MP in the Netherlands after seeking political asylum in an attempt to escape an arranged marriage

For years she has lived with tight security as a result of her stance on radical Islamists

'Ayaan Hirsi Ali regrets that for a number of reasons including security concerns she must cancel her upcoming appearances,' Think Inc said in a statement on Monday.

'She wishes the event organisers success in their future endeavours and hopes to return to Australia in the not too distant future.'

Ms Hirsi Ali's trip to Australia had sparked protests from a group of Muslim women who accused her of hate mongering and bigotry.

Almost 400 signatures appeared on an online petition against Ms Hirsi Ali's speaking tour.

'Against a backdrop of increasing global Islamophobia, Hirsi-Ali's divisive rhetoric simply serves to increase hostility and hatred towards Muslims,' the petition, posted on change.org, said.

That petition was authored by Islamic Museum of Australia board director Sherene Hassan.