"Someone who is in this room -- and I'm not going to use the name they use in the industry -- came up to me, introduced themselves and said, 'I really hope you win. My name is Mustafa. But I can't use that name because I won't get a job,'" he said.
Sherwani-clad Muslim student shows us how to get kicked out of a Trump rally in style
Waleed continued, "He's here tonight. And it matters to people like that that I am here. I know it's not because of me. I know that."
"But if tonight means anything, it's that the Australian public, our audience, as far as they're concerned, there is absolutely no reason why that can't change.
"I'm happy to accept this award but I accept it on behalf of our show, a show that's not afraid to make mistakes going after things, trying to tell a story in a more interesting way," he added.
Sharmeen Obaid wins second Oscar award
“I am incredibly humble that you would even think to invest in me that way. But I’m also incredibly saddened by it because the truth is you deserve more numerous and more worthy avatars than that.”
The TV personality also gained international recognition earlier this year for his response to the Paris attacks on his show, The Project.
“We all need to come together. I know how that sounds, I know it’s a cliché but it’s also true because it’s exactly what ISIL doesn’t want,” he said.
Pakistani bus driver’s son becomes first Muslim mayor of London
#WaleedAly smashes that damn ceiling in his first year on TV and inspires generations!
— Mariam Veiszadeh (@MariamVeiszadeh) May 8, 2016
Congrats!#TVWEEKLogies pic.twitter.com/wmzYbfNAM5
https://twitter.com/HNadim87/status/729598022393446400
To all the haters, bigots & phobes out there, #Waleed Aly won the gold #logie & you cant do anything to reverse that outcome #Logies2016
— Ghalib Imtiyaz (@ghalibimtiyaz) May 8, 2016
A Sydney District Court Judge once sneered at my Italian client "What sort of name is that?"Glad to see Waleed Aly judged for who he is
— chris murphy (@chrismurphys) May 8, 2016
Congratulations #GoldLogie winner Waleed Aly @theprojecttv What an incredible speech from such a passionate principled man
— Melissa Doyle AM (@melissadoyle) May 8, 2016
#WaleedAly What a speech, what a man!! The world is turning, not at a rate of knots - but we'll get there brother!! #TVWEEKLogies
— Joe Williams - TEW (@joewilliams_tew) May 8, 2016
Watch the full speech below:
This article originally appeared on Daily Mail.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ