By Yasmeen Khan Muslims are often depicted as people who can't take a joke. But as a stand-up comedy tour showcasing Islamic talent arrives in the UK, is that fair?
By Yasmeen Khan Muslims are often depicted as people who can't take a joke. But as a stand-up comedy tour showcasing Islamic talent arrives in the UK, is that fair?
"There's nothing better than having a laugh. I love going to see comedy, but people seem to have this impression that Muslims and comedy don't go together; that somehow we can't reconcile humour with our faith."
"There's nothing better than having a laugh. I love going to see comedy, but people seem to have this impression that Muslims and comedy don't go together; that somehow we can't reconcile humour with our faith."
Keen comedy fan Tosifa Mustafa nails a widely-held stereotype, before dismissing it in the same breath. It's "just not the case," she says.
Keen comedy fan Tosifa Mustafa nails a widely-held stereotype, before dismissing it in the same breath. It's "just not the case," she says.
Protests over cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad combined with images of Muslims criticising frivolous aspects of Western culture have left the impression for some that Islam and comedy are incompatible.
Protests over cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad combined with images of Muslims criticising frivolous aspects of Western culture have left the impression for some that Islam and comedy are incompatible.
A few mother-in-law or football jokes always go down well, they help break the ice and put people at ease Ibrahim Mogra And as with most stereotypes, there is a kernel of truth. In some Islamic societies entertainment - music, film and comedy - are forbidden.
A few mother-in-law or football jokes always go down well, they help break the ice and put people at ease Ibrahim Mogra And as with most stereotypes, there is a kernel of truth. In some Islamic societies entertainment - music, film and comedy - are forbidden.
No one knows that better Muslim stand-up Jeff Mirza.
No one knows that better Muslim stand-up Jeff Mirza.
An old hand on the British comedy scene, having done live stand-up and television for the last decade, Mirza encountered hostility when he started out.
An old hand on the British comedy scene, having done live stand-up and television for the last decade, Mirza encountered hostility when he started out.
"Some would come up to me and say what I was doing was haraam (forbidden). But it didn't put me off because I know people consider things as 'bad' when it's something new and unfamiliar," he says.
"Some would come up to me and say what I was doing was haraam (forbidden). But it didn't put me off because I know people consider things as 'bad' when it's something new and unfamiliar," he says.
"We have to stop having knee-jerk reactions to everything."
"We have to stop having knee-jerk reactions to everything."
Mirza believes there is a big appetite for comedy among Muslims. "They want to be entertained, just like everyone else - women in hijaabs do laugh you know."
Mirza believes there is a big appetite for comedy among Muslims. "They want to be entertained, just like everyone else - women in hijaabs do laugh you know."
Ice breaker
Ice breaker
He is by no means alone in that belief.
He is by no means alone in that belief.
Ibrahim Mogra, chairman of the interfaith Muslim Public Affairs Committee and an imam in Leicester, says Islam and comedy "have a long history" and "religiously there is no reason why Muslims can't enjoy a laugh".
Ibrahim Mogra, chairman of the interfaith Muslim Public Affairs Committee and an imam in Leicester, says Islam and comedy "have a long history" and "religiously there is no reason why Muslims can't enjoy a laugh".
The cartoon protests have defined Islam as against comedy, says Azhar UsmanAnd it's not something that needs to be reserved for the stand-up circuit, he says.
The cartoon protests have defined Islam as against comedy, says Azhar UsmanAnd it's not something that needs to be reserved for the stand-up circuit, he says.
"I use comedy when I make speeches; a few mother-in-law or football jokes always go down well, they help break the ice and put people at ease."
"I use comedy when I make speeches; a few mother-in-law or football jokes always go down well, they help break the ice and put people at ease."
Azhar Usman is one of three Muslim comedians who are helping to challenge the stereotype as part of a touring stand-up show. Called Allah Made Me Funny the travelling show returns to the UK this week.
Azhar Usman is one of three Muslim comedians who are helping to challenge the stereotype as part of a touring stand-up show. Called Allah Made Me Funny the travelling show returns to the UK this week.
But he recognises that the image of Islam and comedy remains an odd one and blames both protesters and the media.
But he recognises that the image of Islam and comedy remains an odd one and blames both protesters and the media.
"Muslims are not a monolithic people, they're every class, colour and creed and it's not surprising that some believe that comedy is 'wrong'," he says.
"Muslims are not a monolithic people, they're every class, colour and creed and it's not surprising that some believe that comedy is 'wrong'," he says.
"The cartoons are the single flashpoint that has defined the Islam and comedy debate and I think that it's a result of the fact that Islam has become politicised. Some people think that being Muslim is about going out on to the streets and waving placards about rather than connecting with God and their faith on a personal level.
"The cartoons are the single flashpoint that has defined the Islam and comedy debate and I think that it's a result of the fact that Islam has become politicised. Some people think that being Muslim is about going out on to the streets and waving placards about rather than connecting with God and their faith on a personal level.
Prophet's jester
Prophet's jester
"I don't go shouting in the street, I get up on stage and make jokes about it."
"I don't go shouting in the street, I get up on stage and make jokes about it."
We don't do anything that would offend our families [or] to be blasphemous Azhar Usman But Usman also blames the media for misrepresenting Islam. "The fact is that within Muslim culture there is a strong tradition of storytelling, joking and laughing."
We don't do anything that would offend our families [or] to be blasphemous Azhar Usman But Usman also blames the media for misrepresenting Islam. "The fact is that within Muslim culture there is a strong tradition of storytelling, joking and laughing."
He says the relationship between Islam and comedy goes to the roots of the religion.
He says the relationship between Islam and comedy goes to the roots of the religion.
"Muslim communities have a comedic tradition, in fact the Prophet Mohammed actually had his own jester and the Prophet himself was known to enjoy jokes and wordplay."
"Muslim communities have a comedic tradition, in fact the Prophet Mohammed actually had his own jester and the Prophet himself was known to enjoy jokes and wordplay."
But those who believe comedy is funniest when it's at its most searing may be disappointed by the restrictions that Muslim comics work within.
But those who believe comedy is funniest when it's at its most searing may be disappointed by the restrictions that Muslim comics work within.
"We don't do anything that would offend our families," says Usman. "We don't want to be blasphemous."
"We don't do anything that would offend our families," says Usman. "We don't want to be blasphemous."
Ibrahim Mogra agrees there are "parameters... As long as that comedy doesn't create hatred, blaspheme against any religion or is unnecessarily cruel, it has a place in Islam."
Ibrahim Mogra agrees there are "parameters... As long as that comedy doesn't create hatred, blaspheme against any religion or is unnecessarily cruel, it has a place in Islam."
Dry venues
Dry venues
The general rule of thumb observed by Usman is that Islamic culture can be satirised, but not the religion. Politics is another rich source of jokes, and there's many a laugh to be had out of the more universal themes of marriage, mothers-in-law and even toilet humour.
The general rule of thumb observed by Usman is that Islamic culture can be satirised, but not the religion. Politics is another rich source of jokes, and there's many a laugh to be had out of the more universal themes of marriage, mothers-in-law and even toilet humour.
Familiar face at the Edinburgh Fringe: Jeff MirzaWhen it comes to alcohol, however, which for many comedy club regulars is a key ingredient in a night out, it remains a no-no. But that doesn't stop Muslim comics from appearing at mainstream venues, but for those Muslims that want to see comedy in a "halal" environment, there is a lively comedy scene in community centres and Muslim gatherings.
Familiar face at the Edinburgh Fringe: Jeff MirzaWhen it comes to alcohol, however, which for many comedy club regulars is a key ingredient in a night out, it remains a no-no. That doesn't stop Muslim comics from appearing at mainstream venues, but for those Muslims that want to see comedy in a "halal" environment, there is a lively scene in community centres and at Muslim gatherings.
While Muslim comedians seem confident about poking fun at their culture, non-Muslims often skirt the issue of Islam itself for fear of the reaction.
While Muslim comedians seem confident about poking fun at their culture, non-Muslims often skirt the issue of Islam itself for fear of the reaction.
"With comedy, if you 'own' a space, in other words if you're from a particular faith or background, it grants you a licence to poke fun at it," says Marc Blake, a stand-up comic and comedy tutor at London's City University.
"With comedy, if you 'own' a space, in other words if you're from a particular faith or background, it grants you a licence to poke fun at it," says Marc Blake, a stand-up comic and comedy tutor at London's City University.
"But comics at the moment are more fearful of poking fun at Islam because of the culture of political correctness than they are of any backlash from Muslim people."
"But comics at the moment are more fearful of poking fun at Islam because of the culture of political correctness than they are of any backlash from Muslim people."
So might we see Islam mocked in the way that Christianity has been? Jeff Mirza says an adamant no.
So might we see Islam mocked in the way that Christianity has been? Jeff Mirza says an adamant no.
"Muslim audiences love satire and poking fun at the establishment as much as the next person. I can't see there being a Muslim version of something like Life of Brian anytime soon."
"Muslim audiences love satire and poking fun at the establishment as much as the next person. I can't see there being a Muslim version of something like Life of Brian anytime soon."
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