CAIR-LA’s 4th annual Entertainment Night for Civil Rights featured the witty poetry recitation and comic relief of Sam Pierstorff, a Muslim English professor at Modesto Junior College, laced with the funky beats of Kidragon, a Filipino-American convert to Islam, accompanied by the melodious drumming of Kevin Green.

Young and old alike chuckled throughout, applauding the comedy of Omar Regan, Azeem, Joe Recca and Preacher Moss, who joked about the negative perception of Muslims in American society and the stereotypes and hardships they regularly face.

"When I told my grandma I was a Muslim, she told me ‘No you’re not baby, you’ve never been to jail,’" joked Azeem, 34, an African American convert to Islam from St. Louis.

"My family was paranoid, like I was gonna sell dope," Azeem said about his controversial conversion to Islam at the age of 17.

"Muslims are the most peaceful people on the planet earth," said Azeem, who currently resides in South Carolina and travels the nation performing comedy shows. "I mean, look, Mike Tyson hasn’t won a fight since he became Muslim," he joked.

Moss, also an African American convert, encouraged the Muslims in the crowd to enjoy themselves to end the "stereotype that Muslims can’t have fun."

Moss, an acclaimed comedian and writer, dismissed the idea that Muslims in America are directly suffering because of Osama Bin Laden.

"They want us to believe all the problems we’re facing today are because of a man hiding in a cave," Moss said. "I think it’s because of the man hiding in the White House."

Moss also discussed the influx of conversions to Islam since 9/11, arguing that the negative stigma surrounding Islam has only roused interest in the world’s most practiced religion. He also said "more negativity" would only lead to "more Muslims."

"Our objective is to empower the American Muslim community, especially the youth, through clean entertainment and education regarding the civil rights challenges our country and Muslims in particular are currently facing," said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR-LA.

"As a community today, we’re facing discrimination at the workplace, at schools, and frequently at the hands of government agency representatives," Ayloush said.

Green, a freelance musician and composer from San Diego who sat behind his drums in laughter most of the evening, told In Focus that the night’s cause resonated deeply in his heart. Although not a Muslim himself, he has endured similar hardships as an African American with a beard.

Once when traveling in Japan with some friends, he experienced a typical episode of profiling that Muslims endure worldwide.

"[Airport security] thought we were Muslim, and they thought that was a problem," he remembered. "I think people need to try to understand why that type of questioning is inappropriate," he said, condemning the negative treatment Muslims have endured.

"People need to understand that, by-and-large, the Muslim community is a peace loving community. They deserve the right to practice their religion in this country without being harassed," he argued.

"Anything we can do to bring more awareness is important," Pierstorff told InFocus after the show.. "In every joke, there’s always some truth."

"Comedy is probably the only way you can bring attention to and address sensitive issues in way that is comfortable for everyone," said Houda Itani, 20, a Long Beach State student from Torrance. "We are taking the first step toward opening our mind to what civil rights are about."

CAIR-LA also honored three community members with "Activist of the Year Awards" for their efforts in attaining social equality for Muslims in America.

Samir Twair, president of the Arab American Press Guild; his wife, Pat McDonald Twair, the southern California correspondent of Middle East Affairs for The Washington Report; and Lena Khan, winner of LinkTV’s short video contest, were commended before the crowd.

Khan, 24, a UCLA graduate, said she was flattered by the recognition.

"When you have these sorts of awards, you know there is a community that supports you," she said.

Three students were also honored with "Muslim Youth Awards." Cal-State San Bernardino students Nada and Hada Kaoud were recognized for their activism on campus, while Adel Syed was acknowledged for his efforts with the Muslim Student Association at Cypress College in hosting educational events about Islam.

Recca was the only non-Muslim comedian to perform.

"Just live your life, be true to who you are," Recca told In Focus, advising Muslims in America to "lead by example. You got to show people who you are by living your life."