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This Pakistani comedy group stands with Paris and defends Muslims all in one video

This Pakistani comedy group stands with Paris and defends Muslims all in one video

"We simply wanted to educate people globally, says Muzamil of the House of Lolz
Updated 16 Nov, 2015

A group of young Pakistani comedians has released a video addressing, among others, "the people of Europe," that explains how they as Muslims stand with Paris, and how Muslims in general should not be blamed for acts of terror committed by people who happen to share their religion.

The Islamabad-based comedy group, called House of Lolz, has made this video in response to the Paris attacks of November 13th which claimed the lives of at least 129 people.

"We would like to talk about the recent Paris attacks," they begin. "As you all may know, on the 13th of November the French capital saw barbaric acts of terror and we'd like you to know that we're just as shocked and horrified as everyone else around the world."

They go on to reference the terrible act of terror in Peshawar that scarred Pakistan in December of last year, stating that "we're actually one of the few nations who completely understand what you guys are going through. Why? Because incidents like these are really common in Pakistan. In fact, less than a year ago a school in Peshawar was attacked, where more than 130 children were brutally killed."

The comedy group anticipates a backlash against Islam following the attack in Paris and attempts to defend Muslims through the video, saying: "We can't possibly be held responsible for the actions of a few deranged individuals who somehow claim to be like us. Let me just put that into perspective for you. That's like blaming all Germans for the actions of Hitler, or for that matter, blaming Chinese people for the actions of Mao."

The young men go on to state that out of the top ten countries suffering most from terrorism, eight were Muslim states.

"Now, it's easy to blame the refugees who are coming to Europe en masse," continue the comedians, "but you have to understand that they are running away from the same people who are carrying out these attacks."

The group concludes its video saying, "in all honestly, we're the same people as you... We have the same hopes, dreams and ambitions as you."

The video has since gone viral on social media, with many praising the group for a considered response to the backlash against Muslims that could be expected following the Paris attacks. Yet others have claimed that the group is being defensive, and that Muslims as a group don't need to explain themselves to the west.

The video has been shared over 3,000 times and with celebrities like Hamza Ali Abbasi weighing in on the Paris attacks too, it's no surprise that the topic hit a nerve with the social-media-consuming Pakistani public.

In conversation with House of Lolz

Images talked to Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi, a founding member of the House of Lolz, about their latest video.

Images: 'To Paris, from Pakistan' is a 'serious' video coming from a comedy troupe. Can you talk about the origins of this project?

Muzzamil: We've always been social-oriented content creators. We've never made content just for the sake of it. We've made similar 'serious' videos during the elections of 2013 and about issues such as domestic violence.

We had a very simple reason for making 'To Paris, from Pakistan'. If you look at Facebook, you can see it is a mess. Pakistanis are fighting with other Pakistanis on the subject, and then there are larger Muslims vs. Christians debates, etc.

We decided to have a logical discussion through our video on the subject.

Images: What do you have to say to people who criticise your video as being too defensive?

Muzzamil: That's not the point. We simply wanted to educate people globally. Our video both shows our support and teaches them that they're just like us.

Images: Do you think your video has reached the people of France?

Muzzamil: Yes, around 70-100 French people have shared our video. They're some French comments on the video as well.

Comments

aiza Nov 16, 2015 04:59pm
Very well done and said. Humanity first!
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Delta Nov 16, 2015 05:41pm
Thanks,
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Irfan baloch Nov 16, 2015 06:26pm
A measured and graceful response to Paris tragedy Instead of playing into the hands of the haters
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junaid Nov 16, 2015 06:54pm
If only they did not look as crazy and spent some more time condemning the tragedy, it may have a better impact.
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Saeed Masood Nov 16, 2015 08:21pm
Excellent...very very good message...not only French England and the rest of Europe will also under stand...not forgetting America...
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Abdulla Hussain Nov 16, 2015 09:22pm
I wish the world understand the message given by these young persons. Terror is something we need to fight together. Such attacks are carried out by terrorists & not by common Muslims, we have to understand this & stand together to make this world a peaceful place for all to live in. United we win, divided we loose.
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khalid iqbal Nov 16, 2015 09:54pm
war of terrorism was started in Afghanistan by Russia, and see where we have ended up.
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march21 Nov 16, 2015 10:13pm
@Abdulla Hussain West understands very well that only a fringe group and not entire Muslim community is responsible for this carnage. Their problem is, how to tell them apart? Ironically, this is the crux of guerrilla warfare. That the enemy soldier, unable to tell the difference between an attacker and general populace, will attack all; thereby radicalizing common people. Pakistan used this tactic to radicalize Kashmir. In the end, asymmetric warfare causes more harm than good to it's practitioners. Which is why countries use an army whose members can be clearly identified. And also abide by rules whereby that spare civilians.
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Vijayan Nov 16, 2015 10:58pm
Very Nice video.. I agree completely. The only thing is we as Muslims or Christians or Hindus must take responsibility. The world has always tried to correct the wrongs of the past. Like in America, we have the Affirmative action, Like in Germany you cannot deny the Holocaust etc etc. We all have the collective responsibility to project everyone. Remember the world is dangerous place not because of the actions of a few bad people its because of the silence(in action) of the good people. Napoleon said that. So its all very well to say don't blame us....but who exactly is going to step up???
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ali Nov 17, 2015 12:26am
It was ISIS vs France. After so many years, Pakistan's name has not been coming up in recent terror attacks in Europe. Instead of remaining silent and taking a step back, here we are again as spokesman of world's Muslims! Can't we just remain quiet for sometime and focus on internal issues? Western media and public opinion, by and large, has matured over the years and doesn't take such terror incidences as 'cristian west vs Muslims' any longer. But here we are again, Pakistanis of all the muslim countries, trying to 'make' the world understand! I would rate this effort from innocent (least) to an action that should not have been taken (max). A nation that has had extreme exposure in the world for all the wrong reasons, needed to stay away and lie low.
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Abdul Karim Nov 17, 2015 03:18am
I remember. Is this the group that did a similar video for Mumbai. Good job. Pakistan Zindabad.
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KN Nov 17, 2015 06:14am
Muslims across the world are not a homogeneous group. Religion is not like race. Its a choice. Just like all Muslims cannot be blamed for the actions of small set in the group, in the same way no one group can claim to speak for all Muslims. Pakistanis are not representative of all Muslims in the world...No way
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Manzer Nov 17, 2015 08:29am
It is a good effort but I think all their analogies are wrong. Hitler, Mao, and Stalin were very much supported by their people and they all had large powerful standing armies. ISIS, on the other hand, is a band of thugs which number only a few thousand, they have very limited local support, and have been rejected by practically all Muslims around the world.
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Shahzad Nov 17, 2015 12:03pm
Well done guys. Thank you!
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Ashar Kazmi Nov 17, 2015 12:35pm
Well articulated!
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Abdul malik Nov 17, 2015 12:56pm
the comedian,s group has presented a thought provoking feature.it is worth appreciable.
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Abdul malik Nov 17, 2015 01:06pm
The video is a ray of hope for thinking afresh on the thoughts presented by the youngsters upon gangsters of Paris from a well argument feature . Appreciated.
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Imran AB Nov 17, 2015 02:20pm
Yes someone must make an effort to tell others that we are the victims too .....
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Q Nov 17, 2015 09:04pm
Justice and rule of law with no foreign interference is answer to finish terrorism. Vacate all occupied lands by force.
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heetendra rathor Nov 17, 2015 11:57pm
i like this video and your effort But main problem is that if isis wants to make new terrorists then that would be muslims. so if isis targets muslims to make terrorists then it is logical that police will also target muslims as suspicious not jews , is'nt it. so muslims should cooperate not to defend with these arguments.
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KaKa Nov 19, 2015 11:26am
Good work boys. Hope it is understood.
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