We'll miss you: 5 times Jon Stewart made Pakistanis fall in love

As The Daily Show host bids farewell, we take a look back at his most memorable moments with Malala to Pervez Musharraf

Updated 30 Dec, 2015

Remember when Jon Stewart pointed out how sexist mainstream media is because of the way Caitlyn Jenner's transition was reported? Or when he put things into perspective for the audience following the tragic Charleston shooting?

It's no secret that Stewart's dissection of pressing current issues and the daily news has had a far-reaching influence. As the comedic television journalist leaves The Daily Show after 16 years on air, accolades and tributes are pouring in from around the world. He certainly has many fans in Pakistan -- who wouldn't warm to a TV host so vigilant about addressing Islamophobia, for example?

Here's a look at 5 moments when he made Pakistanis wish that we, too, had a Jon Stewart of our own:

1. When Malala Yousufzai appeared on the show

Take a backseat, Kim Kardashian: arguably his most popular interview, this exchange between the most influential teenager in the world and the Daily Show host nearly broke the internet. Malala, who has appeared on the show twice, spoke about being a Taliban target and the importance of education.

Although Stewart has always insisted that he is not a "real" journalist per se, he can't deny that he does have mileage; by giving the 17-year-old Nobel Prize winner a platform to speak on, he gives us hope and inspiration. By the end of it, Jon wanted to adopt her!

2. When Stewart indulged in banter with ex-Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf

With Twinkies and tea, Stewart welcomed Musharraf on his show. "Where's Osama bin Laden?" he asked suddenly. General Musharraf, charming as ever, replied, "I don't know. You know where he is? You lead on, we'll follow you."

The ex-politician looked cool as a cucumber - Photo courtesy: screengrab

He, too, appeared on the show twice discussing everything from his memoir, In The Line of Fire, to the fact that Osama bin Laden was indeed found in Pakistan. By no means did Stewart take it easy on the ex-president of our nation but Musharraf held it together impressively. It's always good to see well-spoken members of the political arena being showcased positively in foreign media.

3. When Jon Stewart slammed Rupert Murdoch for his Anti-Muslim tweet

Following the unfortunate Charlie Hebdo attack, media mogul Rupert Murdoch tweeted anti-Muslim sentiments and those tweets that did not sit right with Stewart.

The television journalist mocked the business magnate and began his segment by sarcastically saying, "Moderate Muslims, until you have completely wiped Islamic extremists from this earth, this is on you."

He also called out Murdoch on his hypocrisy: "He believes everyone in a group should be responsible for illegal activity by the other members of that group, except if the criminal acts are newspapers hacking dead people's phones, and if the head of that newspaper company is [Murdoch himself]."

The statement was a jab at the hacking scandal surrounding Murodch's now non-existent newspaper, News of The World.

4. When Stewart pointed out the unfair treatment Muslims face while flying

A couple of months ago, the case of a Muslim woman who was denied an unopened can of soda on a United Airlines flight caused a social media frenzy. The flight attendant claimed she might use it as a weapon and that got Jon thinking, "What kind of a weapon could a soda can be?"

"That is — I am shocked," Stewart says, looking distressed, "by what goes on in coach."

A segment with correspondent Hassan Minhaj gave him some clarity about the "carbonated grenade."

Stewart highlights that Ahmad's case was one of petty bigotry. - Photo courtesy: screengrab

"We're crafty. Anything on a plane is a weapon to a Muslim. The corner of a Dorito chip can slice the neck. You think that seat cushion is a flotation device? You are wrong -- that is a smothering pillow. You see a SkyMall, I see a paper-cut katana," he explains.

He added that in the hierarchy of religions in America, Islam ranked just below devil worship.