Fund This: Aasif Mandvi Keeps It ‘Halal In The Family’

Welcome to Fund This, a new column here at Tubefilter. Each week, we’ll look at a planned web series or other online video project currently in search of funding on Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or any other similar crowdfunding sites. We’ll tell you what the series is all about and explain why it is worth your money. Do you have a project that’s currently being crowdfunded? Contact us to let us know and we may feature it in upcoming installments and check out previous installments right here.

Project Name: Halal in the Family

Asking For:  $20,000 on Indiegogo

Amount Raised Thus Far (At Time Of Post): $23,764. A stretch goal has extended the campaign’s target to $30,000.

Days Remaining In Campaign (At Time Of Post): 13

Description: Aasif Mandvi is tackling Islamophobia in America. The longtime Daily Show correspondent, who recently published his first book, will soon add Halal in the Family, a mock sitcom web series, to his repertoire.

Halal in the Family will star Mandvi and House of Cards cast member Sakina Jaffrey, who will together discuss important issues for Islamic-Americans though the lens of a satirical sitcom family. “The themes…include surveillance and spying in Muslim communities; online bullying and hate networks; media bias; and the use of anti-Muslim prejudice for political gain,” reads the Indiegogo campaign.

Other Daily Show correspondents, such as Samantha Bee and Jordan Klepper, will have roles in the series as well. Daily Show Senior Producer Miles Kahn is also on board as a co-writer and director.

As Mandvi explains in his pitch video, the purpose of Halal in the Family is to educate misinformed viewers about the true nature of Muslim life. “By using satire,” reads the campaign, “we will encourage people to reconsider their assumptions about Muslims, while providing a balm to those experiencing anti-Muslim bias.”

Creator Bio: Mandvi, who has appeared on The Daily Show since 2006, is now the program’s third longest-tenured correspondent. He recently became a published author when he released No Land’s Man, a memoir.

Best Perk: For $100, Mandvi will send contributors a signed copy of his book. In the pitch video, he also says something about Daily Show tickets, though those aren’t listed among the perks.

Why You Should Fund It: Halal in the Family won’t just be funny. It will be funny AND important, and that’s a nice combo. Islamophobia is as relevant as ever, and it makes sense for Mandvi to discuss his religion though the comedic lens that has made him into a household name. He’s already shown his ability to use humor as a tool for enacting change among under-educated groups. Now, he’s trying to do it again–and we’re curious to hear what he has to say.