As Islamophobia appears to be making an incendiary comeback—particularly as some Texas lawmakers have warned of so-called “Muslim takeovers”—Houston’s own Mo Amer used a national stage this week to push back.
During a guest segment on Wednesday on The Daily Show, the Alief native framed the moment as less of a new wave and more of a familiar cycle.
“I grew up in Houston, Texas, with the first name Mohammed, so I’m kind of an expert in Islamophobia,” Amer said. “For some reason, being afraid of Muslims is really trendy right now.”
“I’ve been hearing your Islamophobia, and I’m offended,” Amer said. “Not from the hate—but because it’s so inaccurate.”
Against a backdrop of dozens of news clips showing prominent figures making outlandish claims and even residents holding up dead pigs to suggest it was “Muslim Kryptonite,” Amer used humor to dismantle common stereotypes, combined with a rapid-fire list of facts.
“Islamophobes, do your research. Because I have and here it is: Muslims invented algebra, hospitals, universities, the camera, even algorithms, just to name a few,” Amer said before taking a deep breath.
“And by the way, most Muslims aren’t even Arab, and most Arab Americans are actually Christians. And while we’re at it: Muslims also believe in Jesus Christ. He’s mentioned in the Qur’an, which has an entire chapter named after his mother, Mary, and we also believe in the virgin birth.”
Though Amer was able to keep audiences laughing with his nearly 10-minute segment, the message was clear: Islamophobia has never been a comedy for him.
“Stop using lazy tropes to divide people so you can bomb other countries, creating even more refugees, making you more upset about Muslims in America being doctors, engineers, lawyers or selling you street meat out of delicious halal carts,” Amer concluded.