It’s one thing to make a joke about someone’s personal life and that’s mainly what all comedians do. However, it becomes a global issue when you poke fun at someone for following a certain religion or Islam specifically.
That is exactly what Bill Maher did for which the TV show host seems to be in trouble for. In his show Real Time With Bill Maher, the political commentator and media critic in his usual, sarcastic demeanor stated,”Just tell me two things, Zayn. Which one in the band were you? And where were you during the Boston Marathon?”
Dzokhar Tsarnaev was a terrorist responsible for the April 15th 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, with whom Maher jokingly compared Zayn to. The joke took the internet by storm and fans of Zayn as well as 1D hastened to decry Bill’s crude, appalling sense of humor. Fans were of the view that the US comedian had made the comparison in light humor as Zayn is Muslim by faith. Enraged fans placed a petition on Change.org , demanding Maher apologize for the joke he made. This is what the online petition read:-
“This is not about making Bill Maher a scapegoat and before you disregard this thinking 1D fans are angry because of Zayn Malik, think again. This is about how islamophobia, racism and discrimination of ANY kind is wrong, shouldn’t be ignored and must end.”
TV show host Bill Maher has been known for his confrontational statements regarding religion. He has been making anti-religion remarks in the past and referred to himself on countless occasions as an agnostic. So far, neither Zayn nor Bill have responded to the scandal but it seems like 1D and Zayn Malik fans haven’t taken the joke in stride.
JUST BC ZAYN IS MUSLIM DOESNT MEAN HES TERRORIST SERIOUSLY DONT JUDGE HIM BEFORE U EVEN KNOW HIM #RespectForZayn pic.twitter.com/QyOdOn8NOW
— ITS MY BIRTHDAY!! 😀 (@hexingniall) April 6, 2015
If terrorist means saving millions of lives then yeah. right, he sure is a terrorist. #RespectForZayn pic.twitter.com/FTw0YJmJli
— Basit Ali (@pukhtonology002) April 6, 2015
this is so stupid & disrespectful @billmaher #RespectForZayn pic.twitter.com/IVW2gDG8Ck
— i love you zayn (@FUUCKMEZEN) April 5, 2015
