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One Direction fans' fury as talkshow host Bill Maher compares Zayn Malik to Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev

Published: 11:13 EST, 5 April 2015 | Updated: 11:44 EST, 5 April 2015

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Bill Maher has managed to infuriate millions of teenage girls around the world after appearing to compare former One Direction member Zayn Malik to a terrorist.

During his show Real Time With Bill Maher, the American comedian made a joke likening the former One Direction singer to Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

Fans from around the world have tweeted their outrage following the joke and several online petitions are now demanding Maher apologise for the 'islamophobic terrorist joke'.

OUTRAGE: Bill Maher compares Zayn Malik to Boston bomber

Anger: US talkshow host Bill Maher has angered One Direction fans around the world after comparing Zayn Malik, who left the band last week, to Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev

Maher, known for his controversial approach to topics on the show, made the quip about Zayn Malik during his popular 'New Rules' segment.

After feigning disappointment in Malik's departure from the band, Maher said:

'I think after everything we’ve been through, I at least deserve the common respect of being told face to face [that you’d quit One Direction].

'Just tell me two things, Zayn. Which one in the band were you?

'And where were you during the Boston Marathon?'

Funnyman: Maher, known for his controversial approach to topics on the show, made the quip about Malik during his popular 'New Rules' segment

Unsurprisingly, the joke was not well received by Malik's fans on social media, and soon after the episode aired, 'Directioners' began tweeting using the hashtag #RespectForZayn.

'Bill Maher, Shut up and don't call Zayn a terrorist cause you're just jealous of him #RespectForZayn,' Twitter user 'Rania Styles' wrote.

Another wrote: 'It's disgusting that bill maher could compare Zayn, the person that has saved millions of people, to a terrorist #RespectForZayn'

User @spirationstyles added: 'Bill maher, you're disrespectful and as a Muslim and a zayn fan I'm offended #RespectForZayn #RespectForAllMuslims'

A angered One Direction fan posting as 'ruby' added: 'THE FACT THAT SOMEONE COULD CALL HIM A TERRORIST IS BULL IF HE IS A TERRORIST EVERYONE SHOULD BE 1 #RespectForZayn[sic]'

In addition to the fan anger, the outrage over Maher's joke soon took a more serious turn when the comedian and self-confessed atheist was accused of 'islamophobia'.

Quitter: Zayn Malik announced his shock departure from One Direction last week; after he withdrew from the band's tour in the wake of accusations from several women that he had cheated on his fiancee

Escape: Zayn jetted off to France for a holiday with fiancee Perrie Edwards after leaving One Direction

A change.org petition, which currently has more than 1,600 signatures, demand that Maher apologise for the joke about Malik.

'Bill Maher publicly not only insulted but also discriminated against Zayn Malik with an islamophobic terrorist joke,

'Bill Maher and whoever wrote the script, need to be severely disciplined and at least apologise to show that this type of behaviour is never ok.'

The 22-year-old from Bradford broke a million fans' hearts last week when he made a shock exit from global pop phenomenon One Direction.

He initially withdrew from the band's tour in the wake of allegations from several women that he had cheated on his fiancee, Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards, and announced he was quitting the boyband shortly afterwards.

The remaining members; Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Niall Horan are determined to continue as a four-piece and are currently on a world tour.

The group have opened up on their headline-hitting few weeks for the first time, admitting they're 'gutted' that Zayn decided to quit the band that have made them all millionaire superstars.