Ben Affleck slams Bill Maher over 'racist' comments against Islam

Maher had stated 'radical Islamists' are essentially a 'mafia' that would kill you if you say or draw the wrong...

KARACHI: Hollywood actor Ben Affleck slammed comedian and television host Bill Maher on Friday over his controversial comments on Islam, where he stated that “radical Islamists” are essentially a "mafia" that would kill you if you say or draw the wrong thing.

In response, Affleck argued that condemning a whole religion based on "jihadists" that make up a small fraction of Islam isn't fair.

Affleck was on Maher’s show Real Time to promote his new film Gone Girl when the argument began.

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, who was also present on the show, said that criticising Islam is similar to "a tinge of how white racists talk about African-American and define blacks."

The argument came after Maher made similar comments during last week’s episode of his show.

He said: “If we're giving no quarter to intolerance, shouldn't we be starting the mutilators and the honour killers?’

“What is your solution? To condemn Islam? To do what? We've killed more Muslims than they've killed us by an awful lot,” Affleck added, as the argument heated up.

Moreover, Affleck condemned Maher’s comments by saying, “It’s gross, it’s racist.” He also compared Maher’s comments to calling someone “a shifty Jew”.

A video of the argument can be viewed here.