Your Friends, Neighbors and These 22 Celebrities Are Muslim

By Jodi Smith | Lists | November 17, 2015 |

Yesterday, an unnamed man stood in the French capital’s Place de la Republique with a blindfold on and a sign that read: “I’m a Muslim but I’m told that I’m a terrorist. I trust you, do you trust me? If yes, hug me.”

This is what happened, only four days after the attacks that left over 150 dead.

Meanwhile, in America, Donald Trump vowed again yesterday to close down mosques throughout the country and place others under heavy surveillance. Last month, he was asked if he was also asked if he would close down mosques, and he replied: “I would do that. Absolutely, I think it’s great.”

They seem nice pic.twitter.com/n4KSsz8vbN
— Will Bunch (@Will_Bunch) November 18, 2015

In France, they can separate a Muslim from a terrorist. The President of France, in fact, was careful to single out the radical elements in declaring war on ISIS. “It is a war against terrorism, against jihadism, against radical Islam.”

It is not a war against Muslims.

Many, especially in the GOP, have neglected to single out the radical element, choosing instead to lump all Muslims together. Here’s a random Trump supporter on the issue.

I hope Trump changes Muslim Appreciation Month to Muslim Deportation Month! RT if u agree! @AnnCoulter @DanScavino https://t.co/398ntJ35QL
— Nevada4America (@trump2016fan) November 11, 2015

Those “Muslims” he wants to deport are our friends and our neighbors. They constitute nearly one percent of the American population. They are also in the TV shows we watch, the films we go see, and on the sportsball teams for which we root.

Muslim does not equal ISIS. Why is this so hard for people to comprehend?
— ♡ Caitlyn ♡ (@CaitlynGolem) November 18, 2015

I've spent the last 20 years teaching and directing muslim students. Guess what? They're just like the others!
— Stephen Gordon (@stephenfgordon) November 17, 2015

Here are 22 celebrities, many of whom we love. They also happen to be Muslim.

1. Dave Chappelle - comedian, actor, producer, writer

2. Ice Cube - rapper, actor, music producer

3. Jemima Khan - journalist, heiress, activist

4. Shaquille O’ Neal - former NBA player, “actor”, NBA analyst

5. Kareem Adbul-Jabbar - former NBA player, coach, actor, author, U.S. global cultural ambassador

6. Janet Jackson - singer, actress, songwriter

7. Ellen Burstyn - actress

8. Cat Stevens AKA Yusef Islam - singer, songwriter, philanthropist

9. Iman Abdulmajid - model, actress, activist, entrepreneur

10. Zayn Malik - singer

11. Mos Def - actor, hip hop artist, activist

12. Aasif Mandvi - actor, comedian, Daily Show correspondent

13. Muhammed Ali - the greatest

14. Ghostface Killah - nothin’ ta fuck wit

15. Raekwon - see previous entry

16. Lupe Fiasco - singer, rapper, producer, entrepreneur

17. Q-Tip - rapper, music producer

18. Craig Hodges - former NBA player, basketball coach

19. Everlast - musician, singer, songwriter, rapper

20. MC Ren - rapper, Villain Entertainment founder and owner

21. Shohreh Aghdashloo - actress

22. Akon - singer, rapper