Send Jon Stewart an Eid Gift
Written by Zahid
01. Sep, 2010 
5 Comments
The best way to show appreciation to anyone is to give that person a thank you gift. This Ramadan things have been little different for Muslims. Anti-Islam rhetoric has taken the shape of election time politics and it is now normal to not allow Muslims to have freedom to worship. In the midst of all this, one comedian took a stance for justice and debunked almost all negativity targeted at Islam and Muslims.
Jon Stewart, a Jew, used his comic skills to showcase the two faced argument by the opponents of “Ground Zero Mosque” and now we should show him appreciation by sending him an Eid Gift.
There is a Facebook event page with over 3000+ attendees who will InshAllah send Jon Stewart an Eid Gift. I was interested in finding who was actually behind the event page and contacted Chris Abdur-Rahman via Facebook.
After initial introduction, I asked him if he would answer few questions. He was very forthcoming and responded within few minutes with the following answers:
Q: Tell us something about yourself?
A: My name is Chris Abdur-Rahman Blauvelt, and I am from Amherst, Massachusetts. I became Muslim when I was 16 after reading the Autobiography of Malcolm X and seeing my neighbor accept the religion, and I was inspired by how much it helped both of them. I attended the University of Michigan where I received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.A. in Educational Administration. I hope to one day open a liberal arts Muslim prep school in the US and currently manage a film production company in Detroit, and our first film, “Bilal’s Stand“, is getting ready for release this winter InshAllah.
Q: Where did you get this idea about creating an event that appreciates Jon Stewart?
A: The idea just came to me. I noticed how many people, including myself, were posting over Facebook his satirical commentary over the “ground zero” mosque controversy and his calling out of hate mongering for what it is. I became Muslim just before 9/11 and have see all sorts of things said about Muslims and Islam over the past 9 years, but now it feels different. Now it feels as though somehow it’s acceptable for public figures and news outlets to be Islamophobic, and it’s quite frightening. I felt this was one way of showing our support for those who stand for justice and freedom of religion and do so in a positive, constructive way.
Q: Why do you think it is important to appreciate speakers of the truth about Islam, especially in the media?
A: Working in film now, I definitely see the influence that media holds over the public, especially TV. People never do first-hand research, and will rarely read an educated article about an issue such as the ground-zero mosque. They’re much more likely to watch CNN or Fox News, and for my generation probably not even that – they’ll just see what’s being posted on YouTube. So to have a mainstream figure like Jon Stewart coming out in defense of Muslims, not just once or twice but now 5 times is incredible. I believe it’s the duty of Muslims in the country to show their appreciation for such great work, especially since he owes us nothing.
Q: What are you going to send Jon Stewart on Eid?
A: I’m thinking Edible Arrangements – a healthy, delicious treat that can be shared by the whole staff (we can’t forget to thank the writers of the show!). Also, I believe a Muslim started the company, which adds an extra layer of meaning to it I suppose.
Indeed, this little gesture will go a long way. Here is the information to send Jon Stewart an Eid Gift:
Mailing Address
Jon Stewart
c/o The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
733 11th Avenue
New York, NY 10019-5051
Facebook Event Page: Send Jon Stewart an Eid Gift
P.S. Since it is also the beginning of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, please wish him Shana Tova “a good year.”
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