American TV presenter Wajahat Ali has said that it is hypocritical for American Muslims to complain about Islamophobia whilst advocating homophobia.

According to a report in The Malaysian Insider the Al Jazeera America presenter was speaking at an event in Malaysia and told the audience “I think it is deeply hypocritical.

“I think instead, and this is something we have learned… if you stretch American values to accommodate the freedoms of marginalised communities, it is actually better for all minorities.

“If it stretches to encompass the African-Americans, the Latinos, Muslims and the LGBT,

“it actually becomes a richer and more fulfilling narrative experience.”

The event, titled “Conversations: Who is Entitled?”, took place at the George Town Literary Festival in Penang, Malaysia and focused on the topic of civil rights and American values.

He also warned Malaysia that restricting the freedoms of some citizens would have repercussions for other citizens, saying “It polarises the rest of us.

“That is something Malaysia will learn from, because we are learning it in America.

“If we stretch to increase freedoms, it helps not just your community but others as well.”

Ali presents the Al Jazeera American social media show The Stream and has also written on the subject of the American Muslim experience, including a critically acclaimed Broadway play about a Pakistani-American family in post 9/11 New York.