Selma Blair Issues Apology for Islamophobic Remark

Actress Selma Blair has issued a public apology for an Islamophobic comment she posted on social media. The comment, which Blair has since deleted, suggested that Islam aimed to "destroy minds" in the United States and was responsible for the destruction in Muslim countries. The remark was made in response to immigration reform advocate Abraham Hamra's criticism of U.S. Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush for their votes against a measure that sought to bar individuals involved in a recent attack on Israel from immigrating to the U.S.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and other individuals swiftly condemned Blair's statement, labeling it as hateful and ignorant. In her apology, Blair acknowledged her error in conflating Muslims with radical Islamists and fundamentalists. She expressed deep regret for her actions and indicated her willingness to engage in a dialogue about the impact of her words. The backlash Blair faced highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding public figures and their comments on sensitive political issues, including those related to the Palestinian human rights debate. Blair, who is Jewish, has stated that she is using the incident as a learning opportunity to better understand the significance of her public statements.