Is Dave Chappelle Muslim? What the comedian said about “beautiful religion”.

Dave Chappelle recently spoke about the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel during a comedy appearance, which did not go over well with some viewers.

The comedian performed at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on October 19th and 20th, as announced on the venue’s website. The performances were part of his It’s A Celebration tour. During his appearance, he criticized the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip and Hamas’s first attacks on Israel on October 7.

His alleged tirade condemned the attack, in which Hamas led the deadliest Palestinian militant attack on Israel in history. Israel then launched its heaviest airstrikes to date on Gaza.

Dave Chappelle comments on the war between Hamas and Israel
Dave Chappelle speaks onstage at the Blue Note Jazz Festival at Silverado Resort and Spa in July 2023 in Napa, California. The comedian spoke openly about the Hamas-Israel war during an appearance, which was met with mixed reactions.
Richard Bord/Getty Images

The Wall Street Journal reported that Chappelle condemned Hamas’ first initial attack on Israel, then criticized Israel’s bombing of Gaza, saying it occurred “while the whole world sits quietly and watches.”

The report came from two guests who attended the event and told the newspaper what the star allegedly said. The couple added that several spectators left the room.

In addition, Chappelle accused the United States of supporting the slaughter of innocent people. He added that the Israeli government’s disruption of Gaza’s water and other vital supplies meant “the killing of innocent women and children” with US taxpayer money.

A viewer allegedly told Chappelle to shut up, to which he allegedly retaliated and told the viewer to be quiet.

The audience reportedly cheered Chappelle on and chanted “Free Palestine” as he continued, to which he responded, “You’re damn right, Free Palestine.”

Newsweek has emailed Chappelle and TD Garden management seeking comment.

There was a lot of chatter online following the allegations. Several reports of the events that unfolded have also appeared online Newsweek is currently unable to verify this.

A supportive fan wrote: “Dave Chappelle is a real G. I never doubted him @DaveChappelle.”

“Dave Chappelle is and always will be the best,” one added.

Another posted: “Dave Chappelle is a legend. He speaks the truth and doesn’t care about the haters. Respect.”

Those who disagreed were equally vocal. One social media user commented: “When his audience gets smaller he won’t be as legendary anymore.”

Another added: “Dave Chappelle is canceled again.”

One shared: “Well that’s a shame. I really liked Dave Chappelle and defended his 1A.” [First Amendment] Rights because I’m a free speech purist, but any lack of support for Israel in any way is a deal breaker for me. Now I have to boycott this funny man. And it’s really a shame.

Chappelle also spoke about the news that students had lost job offers for expressing support for the Palestinian people.

Is Dave Chappelle Muslim?

The 50-year-old comedian is Muslim and found the religion of Islam at the age of 17.

In the Netflix series “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction” with David Letterman, Chappelle shared his views on being a Muslim and how he finds it “beautiful” but isn’t “always good at it.”

When first asked about the circumstances under which he became a muslin, Chappelle said: “I don’t know, believing in God and stuff.”

“I should preface this by saying, ‘It’s not like I’m good at this,'” he says comically.

In the episode, he shared that at the age of 17, while living in Washington DC, it was a meeting in a pizzeria that inspired him to follow the religion.

“The pizzeria was across the street from my house and there were all these Muslim guys working there, so to speak,” Chappelle said.

“I used to go in there and make jokes. And I’m also a naturally curious guy, and I asked.” [the owner] Questions about his religion,” he added. “The guy was so passionate about it. It was very convincing. I liked the perspective.”

Chappelle later said of how Islam and being Muslim were perceived in the world: “It was presented in such a narrow and unwelcoming view in the public sphere.”

“It is a beautiful religion. And the ideas of this religion are reflected in all major Abrahamic faiths. You’ll see these ideas in both Christianity and Judaism, you know. It’s the idea that this place actually means something, you know? “