logo
American Muslims For Palestine (AMP) Chair Hatem Bazian At 2023 Muslim American Society (MAS) Conference: Atheists Like 'Islamophobic Bully' And 'Coward' Bill Maher And Author Sam Harris Mock Oppresse

American Muslims For Palestine (AMP) Chair Hatem Bazian At 2023 Muslim American Society (MAS) Conference: Atheists Like 'Islamophobic Bully' And 'Coward' Bill Maher And Author Sam Harris Mock Oppresse

Memri19-05-2025
Dr. Hatem Bazian, National Chair of American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), slammed comedian and talk show host Bill Maher for creating comedy "on the back" of "those who are being afflicted with Islamophobia." Speaking at the annual MAS-ICNA (Muslim American Society and Islamic Circle of North America) convention in Chicago on December 30, 2023, Bazian criticized Maher for hosting atheist neuroscientist and author Sam Harris, where the two engaged in what he called "'sophisticated' racist talk about Muslims."
"It is not satire, it is not comedy, it is not funny when you pile on those who are being beaten down," Bazian said. He emphasized that "satire, comedy, and funny is to punch up to those in power," not "pile down on those who are being beaten down, stepped upon, and bombed." Bazian concluded: "Bill Maher, you are a coward" and "an Islamophobic bully."
Hatem Bazian: "Some parts of the political left, or what we call the interventionist left, or the atheist movement, that is represented by Bill Maher, as one of the figures that never misses an opportunity to be an Islamophobe. He brings with him often on his HBO show that is beamed to people... He brings Sam Harris. They think that they are two white men engaging in 'sophisticated' racist talk about Muslims.
"We need to say that there is no way for you to have a comedy [show] on the back of the dispossessed, on the back of those who are being afflicted with Islamophobia. Now let me be very clear. It is not satire, it is not comedy, it is not funny when you pile on those who are being beaten down.
"You are not actually funny or satirical if you are punching down on those who are being stepped upon and bombed. It is not funny nor satirical to go after individuals who are marginalized in society. Satire, comedy, and funny is to punch up to those in power. Bill Maher, you are a coward, because you are piling on those who are being oppressed. There is nothing funny in amplifying Islamophobia.
"There is nothing funny about thinking that you make satire of those who have faced 60,000 tons of bombing in Gaza. You think [you're] funny? Look at yourself in the mirror. I challenge you to punch up and speak truth to power, if you are satirical, rather than punching down to those who are being dispossessed and marginalized. This is what we call: Bill Maher, you are an Islamophobic bully. Bill Maher, you are an Islamophobic bully. We need to understand that."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack: Turkey Is the Center Point of the Middle East; Its Leadership Has Brought Al-Sharaa to Power in Syria, Shaped Events There; Israel Nee
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack: Turkey Is the Center Point of the Middle East; Its Leadership Has Brought Al-Sharaa to Power in Syria, Shaped Events There; Israel Nee

Memri

time11 hours ago

  • Memri

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack: Turkey Is the Center Point of the Middle East; Its Leadership Has Brought Al-Sharaa to Power in Syria, Shaped Events There; Israel Nee

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack discussed in a June 29, 2025 interview on Anadolu News Agency (Turkey) Turkish President Erdoğan's role in instating the Al-Sharaa regime in Turkey. He said that Turkey has never had the 'elevation' of the level of relevance it deserves as a major regional player. Barrack said that Turkey can be the center point of how the Middle East should be, a blend of Muslims, Jews, and Christians with different viewpoints. He stated that what is happening in Syria is due to Turkey's leadership. He said Israel is in the process of being redefined, and what recently happened between Israel and Iran is an opportunity to create a 'new road,' with Turkey being key in this new direction. He stated that for the first time, America and Turkey have an agreement to be not just 'defense partners' but also 'offense partners.' Barrack added that President Al‑Sharaa has indicated that he does not hate Israel, does not hold religious resentment toward Israel, and wants peace with Israel.

ICC convicts pair over Central Africa war crimes
ICC convicts pair over Central Africa war crimes

Iraqi News

time3 days ago

  • Iraqi News

ICC convicts pair over Central Africa war crimes

The Hague – The International Criminal Court Thursday convicted a former top Central African Republic football official and a militiaman nicknamed Rambo for multiple war crimes committed during the country's civil war in 2013 and 2014. Ex-sports minister Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona was a senior leader of mainly Christian militias as the country slid into civil war, while Alfred Yekatom, a former MP, commanded them on the ground. The ICC sentenced Yekatom to 15 years behind bars for 20 war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder and torture. Ngaissona received a sentence of 12 years for 28 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Their militia, known as anti-Balaka or 'anti-machete', were formed as vigilante self-defence groups after mainly Muslim rebels called the Seleka stormed the capital Bangui and removed then-president Francois Bozize, a Christian. Presiding judge Bertram Schmitt read harrowing details of the violence committed by the militia against suspected Seleka Muslims. Yekatom's men tortured one suspect by cutting off his fingers, toes, and one ear. This man's body was never found. Others were killed and then mutilated. Appearing in court dressed in a light brown suit and waistcoat, white shirt, and dark tie, Yekatom listened impassively as the judge read out the verdict. Dressed in a bright blue jacket, Ngaissona nodded to the judge as his sentence was delivered. The court found Yekatom not guilty of conscripting child soldiers and acquitted Ngaissona of the charge of rape. Both men had pleaded not guilty to all charges. Yekatom was extradited to The Hague in late 2018, after being arrested in the CAR for firing his gun in parliament. Ngaissona was arrested in France in December 2018 and extradited to The Hague. At the time he was head of the CAR football association and a board member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The Central African Republic is among the poorest nations in the world and has endured a succession of civil wars and authoritarian governments since independence in 1960. Violence has subsided in recent years but fighting occasionally erupts in remote regions between rebels and the national army, which is backed by Russian mercenaries and Rwandan troops. Set up in 2002, the ICC is the world's only independent tribunal capable of prosecuting those accused of the world's worst crimes.

Atlanta Imam Dawud Mahdi: America Is 'Not the Big Dog Anymore,' the Judeo-Christian Ideology Just Doesn't Work – Islam Will Prevail and Achieve Dominance; Zionists Control Everything in the World but
Atlanta Imam Dawud Mahdi: America Is 'Not the Big Dog Anymore,' the Judeo-Christian Ideology Just Doesn't Work – Islam Will Prevail and Achieve Dominance; Zionists Control Everything in the World but

Memri

time5 days ago

  • Memri

Atlanta Imam Dawud Mahdi: America Is 'Not the Big Dog Anymore,' the Judeo-Christian Ideology Just Doesn't Work – Islam Will Prevail and Achieve Dominance; Zionists Control Everything in the World but

Atlanta imam Dawud Mahdi said in a lecture at Masjid Al‑Mu'minun in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 11, 2025, that Muslims do not 'turn the other cheek,' that the Quran teaches them to fight, and that they must stand up to oppression. He said that Islam does not seek dominance, but rather it is a perfect lifestyle that will prevail and achieve dominance, as shown by the rapid growth of Islam in the world. Mahdi also said that America is 'not the big dog anymore,' that it is being recognized as the bully that it is, and that its Judeo‑Christian ideologies do not work. In addition, he said that the Islamic nation has 'failed miserably' by having allowed the Zionists, whose numbers are small, to control 'everything in the world,' but added that it is 'not too late.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store