Council On American-Islamic Relations Throws Fit Over Bill Maher’s Kennedy Center Award

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the Kennedy Center’s decision to honor Bill Maher with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

The Muslim advocacy organization issued a statement claiming Maher being named for the award “highlights the glaring double standards surrounding bigotry and violence that exist in our society,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“Mr. Maher would have never received this recognition if he were an antisemitic comedian who supported terrorism against Jewish-Americans or Israelis, but his open bigotry against Muslims and support for the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza are somehow perfectly acceptable,” they said.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 02: Bill Maher attends a game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on December 02, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

CAIR did not note any particular statements made by Maher, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The comedian has expressed support for Israel defending itself and criticized Hamas.

“Until our society rejects all forms of hate and all forms of violence against innocent people as wrong, regardless of the victim, hypocrisy and inconsistency will continue to undermine the reputation of institutions like the Kennedy Center,” CAIR’s statement continued, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

A publicist on Maher’s behalf did not immediately answer a request for comment by The Hollywood Reporter.

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 02: Television host and comedian Bill Maher performs at The Orleans Hotel & Casino July 2, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The recently renamed Trump-Kennedy Center announced on March 26 that Maher will receive the prize during a gala performance June 28. The event is expected to include some of comedy’s most famous names names, a spokesperson told the Daily Caller in a statement.

The rep noted that this year’s honoree signals the Center’s bipartisan view on the performing arts, including comedy.

“For nearly three decades, the Mark Twain Prize has celebrated some of the greatest minds in comedy,” Roma Daravi, Vice President of Public Relations, said. (RELATED: Bill Maher To Receive Mark Twain Prize From Kennedy Center)

“For even longer, Bill has been influencing American discourse — one politically incorrect joke at a time.”