History
2003–2007
In December 2003, Preacher Moss founded the act[1][2] and made the US debut at a club in Washington.[3] In 2004, Azhar Usman joined.[4] In May 2004,[5] Moss, Usman and Azeem Muhammad launched a comedy tour titled ‘Allah Made Me Funny.’[6][7][8]
Allah Made Me Funny started out in purely Islamic gatherings, such as the annual Islamic Society of North America conference.[9] During its first year, they toured 30 United States cities, and also in Canada, Europe, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East.[10][11][12] They have also performed at the Global Peace and Unity Event in the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in London organised by Islam Channel.[13]
In July 2005, Allah Made Me Funny: The Official Muslim Comedy Tour DVD was released, which featured Muhammad, Usman and Moss performing live at a comedy club.[14][15][12][16] In summer 2006, Muhammad left the troupe, few months later in autumn, Mohammed Amer joined the troupe.< ref name="theapiary">McQuern, Elizabeth (August 24, 2007). "Dave Chappelle Produces Chicago's Azhar Usman in "Allah Made Me Funny"". The Apiary. Retrieved November 1, 2013. </ref>
In November 2006, they toured Australia.[17][18] In 2007, they toured the United Kingdom. In April, they performed in cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford, Cardiff and Glasgow.[19] In November, they performed in cities including London, Cardiff, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and Bradford.[20]
2008–present
In October 2008, Allah Made Me Funny: Live in Concert film was released on 15 screens[21] in US cinemas.[9][22][23][24][25][26][27] The documentary/concert film, which was spawned from the longest-running comedy tour in America,[28] follows Amer, Moss and Usman as they perform at comedy clubs around the country,[2] and mostly features a performance before an audience at the Heritage Forum in Anaheim, California in August 2007.[7][29][29][8] The film pauses between acts to chronicle how they make comedy from their personal experiences as Muslims in post 9/11 America, behind-the-scenes footage into the comics’ day-to-day family lives, the work that goes into their show and how they prepare fresh material.[2][23][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]
In April 2009, Allah Made Me Funny toured the United Kingdom,[38] where they performed in cities including London[39] and Manchester.[3] In October 2010, they took part in a one-off concert with Aamer Rahman and Nazeem Hussain (Fear of a Brown Planet) at the Athenaeum Theatre in Paris.[40][41]
In September, October and November 2011, they toured the United States and United Kingdom with their Word Domination Comedy Tour,[28][42][18] where they performed in cities including Washington D.C, Manchester, London, Birmingham and Glasgow.[3]
Allah Made Me Funny have been featured in over 100 major world media including CBS Sunday Morning, CNN Headline News, and a whole episode of ABC Nightline In June 2013, Amer and Usman featured on an interfaith special, What’s So Funny About Religion?, which was broadcast on the CBS Television Network.[43][44]
Allah Made Me Funny have toured in over 30 countries.[1] in four continents.[32] They have been featured reviews and interviews from The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time and US TV, plus international coverage on the BBC and in The Guardian.[45]
Style and reception
Allah Made Me Funny shows have offered non-Muslims a chance to get to know about Islamic culture and have provided a place where Muslims can gather to share humor about their own lives and experiences.[10][11] Their goal it is to break down racial and cultural stereotypes and foster understanding across cultures, while educating both Muslims and non-Muslims about tolerance and acceptance through comedy and break down barriers no matter what peoples’ beliefs or backgrounds are.[20][28]
Whilst on the tour the comedians ensure that their jokes are respectful and do not include sexual references, profanity or backbiting. To ensure that Muslims will be comfortable attending the show, the comics request that comedy clubs do not serve alcohol or pork or allow smoking during performances.[10][11][22]
Their routines mostly includes stereotypes, misunderstanding and fearmongering over the Muslim faith in the world today.[30] They talk about being Muslim in America, portraying the challenges and pitfalls, while simultaneously poking fun at Muslims in a light-hearted manner.[9]
The comedians’ most popular jokes are about common Muslim stereotypes, with each comedian adding their own ethnic twist.[2] Their routine includes jokes about themselves, their communities and 9/11,[23] customs, religious holidays,[33] families and themselves the communities where they liv,e, pop culture, the government, the complications of being Muslim in post 9/11 America,[34] family and marriage.[34]
Reviews
- ‘This is where mainstream America meets Islam, not with conflict but with laughter.’ – BBC[42][18]
- ‘Allah made me funny is funny...refreshing, respectful, and irreverent look at religion.’ – The Independent[42][18]
- ‘...achieves it declared purpose.’ – The Guardian[42][18]
- ‘The title doesn't lie.’ – The New York Times[46]
- ‘The response from the audience is overwhelming.’ – BBC[46]
- ‘Three Muslims walk into a theatre. Everyone laughs with them.’ – Sydney Morning Herald[46]
- ‘Allah Made Me Funny has been a huge success by challenging stereotypes and giving people permission to relax and laugh.’ – The Age[46]
Awards
In October 2005, Allah Made Me Funny were honored at the annual media awards dinner of the Los Angeles-based Muslim Public Affairs Council.[47]
