CAIR Seeks HBO Apology for 'Curb' Episode Mocking Jesus

'Curb Your Enthusiasm' main character splattered urine on painting of Jesus

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A prominent national Muslim
civil rights and advocacy organization today called on HBO to apologize for an
episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" in which the main character splattered urine
on a painting of Jesus.

SEE: Larry David Blasted for 'Curb' Episode Where He Urinates on Jesus
Painting http://tinyurl.com/hboepisode

In a letter to HBO Chairman and CEO Bill Nelson, Nihad Awad, national
executive director of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) wrote:

"It is beyond tasteless to insult the religious sensibilities of billions of
people in America and around the world with such a cheap and vulgar publicity
stunt. Jesus, peace be upon him, is loved and revered by both Christians and
Muslims. Muslims view him as one of God's greatest messengers to mankind.

"The Quran, Islam's revealed text, states: 'Behold! The angels said: "O Mary!
God gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name will be Jesus Christ,
the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and in (the
company of) those nearest to God.'' (The Holy Quran, 3:45)

"The Prophet Muhammad said: 'Both in this world and in the hereafter, I am the
nearest of all people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The prophets are paternal
brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.'

"We understand the drive for ratings, but no one benefits from such a crude
attempt to boost the network's bottom line by manufacturing a religious
controversy. HBO should apologize."

Awad added that American Muslim television viewers contacted CAIR to express
their concerns about the HBO episode.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization.
Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue,
protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that
promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or
202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina
Rubin, 202-488-8787 or 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

Ibrahim Hooper, National Communications Director, +1-202-488-8787,
+1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, or Amina Rubin, Communications Coordinator,
+1-202-488-8787, +1-202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com, both of CAIR