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WATCH: Comic teaches about Ramadan on flying carpet

The Local Germany
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WATCH: Comic teaches about Ramadan on flying carpet
Photo: Screenshot from Dattelträger video.

A young comedian hopes his flying carpet stunt can help fight back against stereotypes - by becoming one.

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The video posted on Tuesday has gained nearly 14,000 views on YouTube, been shared nearly 9,000 times on Facebook and viewed on Facebook more than half a million times.

For the flying carpet feat, Younes Al-Amayra donned stereotypical ‘Middle Eastern’ attire, straight out of Aladdin: a golden patterned shawl wrapped around his waist with a black fez hat.

Before he begins his journey through Berlin in the video, he first rewrites a sign from neo-Nazi party NPD to read ‘Happy Ramadan’ rather than ‘Safe travels home’ over caricatures of people riding a flying carpet.

Then Al-Amayra sets out on his magic carpet ride through the capital's streets to hand out dates and explain Ramadan to curious passersby.

The holy month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar - this year running until next week - when people fast to commemorate the first revelation of the Koran to Muhammad. 

Fasting lasts from sunrise to sunset and Muslims will refrain from consuming any food or drinks. Dates are often the first food eaten to break the fast in the evening. 

Al-Amayra is part of a group of artists called Dattelträger, or Date-carriers. The group of Berliners is made up of Muslims and non-Muslims who produce YouTube videos aimed at creating a “new satire-caliphate in the heart of the YouTube scene,” they told Die Welt last year.

Their goal: to declare war on the stereotypes and cliches surrounding Muslims.

And they’ve earned more than just viral success: Dattelträger won the German Web Video Prize this year for best newcomers.

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