Irish tv presenter Baz Ashmawy has revealed he is more fearful of Islamophobia than the actions of terrorist organisation ISIS.
The 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy star has opened up about his fears for Muslim people following attacks by the jihadis, most recently in Paris.
In an interview with the Irish Mail on Sunday, Baz, who was raised with both Muslim and Catholic traditions in Dublin, said:
“The climate has changed radically over the last week and I’m more afraid of Islamophobia now than ISIS.”
The 40-year-old is recently made an RTE documentary called The Lost Muslim, and hopes it will clear up prejudice misconceptions among the viewing public.
“If people out there think the terrorists have anything to do with Islam, they are wrong,” he explained. “We filmed a documentary in London where a lot of young Muslims are being targeted by extremist groups.
“But it has nothing to do with religion. Joining ISIS is the most extreme, anti-establishment, punk thing you can do. That’s why kids are hooking up with it.”
He added: “I’m worried that Abdul your taxi driver in Dublin or Mohammed who works in Boots are now going to be targeted by people angry about the terrorist attacks.”
On a lighter note, the television success recently spoke about his excitement about heading to NYC for the Emmys with his famous mum Nancy.
“I had a very funny conversation on the phone with my mum last night, ‘An Emmy! An Emmy! It’s called an Emmy!’” he told The Anton Savage Show.
“We’re going to New York for free which is great,” he said. “Nancy’s going to get to go to The Emmys! – that’s just bananas.
“She’s got to do all of these amazing things and now she’s going to get her glad rags on and have a very glitzy night in The Hilton. It’s brilliant and amazing.”
