Selma Blair apologises for Islamophobic comment on social media

Actor Selma Blair has apologised for an Islamophobic comment on social media, saying it “resulted in hurting countless people I never meant to, and I deeply regret this”.

Blair posted a lengthy statement on Instagram following a now-deleted comment on another post attacking state representatives Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib for voting against a bill banning Hamas members from the US. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Blair’s comment read in part: “Deport all these terrorist supporting goons. Islam has destroyed Muslim countries and then they come here and destroyed minds.”

The comment attracted widespread condemnation, including from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which called the remarks “hateful and ignorant”. On Tuesday, Blair posted an apology, writing: “In my comment, I mistakenly and inadvertently conflated Muslims with radical Islamists and fundamentalists, a terrible err[or] in my words, and resulted in hurting countless people I never meant to, and I deeply regret this.”

She added: “Hate and misinformation are amplified so easily these days. This time by my own hands. In this instance, I erred in my writing and I fully recognize how I contributed to the Muslim community being understandably very upset … I am dedicated to tolerance and peace for all who want it – not hate. I apologize to those in the Muslim community who I offended with my words. I apologize to my friends. And I apologize to anyone I hurt. And I will do better.”