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Stand-up Comedy

You’ll Never Believe What’s Happening in Saudi Arabia

By Yara Marei / Arab America contributing writer. The lights of Riyadh sparkled like never before, casting a golden glow over the bustling city as crowds gathered to witness a season unlike any other. From the grand stages of youth innovation to the red carpets of global fashion, Riyadh Season 2024 transformed the Saudi capital … Continued

Pathbreakers of Arab America—Emil Wakim

This is the sixty-fifth of Arab America’s series on American pathbreakers of Arab descent. The series includes personalities from entertainment, business, sports, science, arts, academia, journalism, and politics, among other areas. Our sixty-fifth pathbreaker is Emil Wakim, a Lebanese American stand-up comic, writer, actor, and son of a Maronite Christian Lebanese immigrant father and American mother. He made his “Tonight Show” debut at the young age of 24 and this fall joined the cast of ‘Saturday Night Live’ for its milestone 50th season as the first Lebanese American cast member. Contributing writer, John Mason, depicts Emil as unafraid of poking fun at stereotypes of Arabs and addressing serious issues such as genocide in Gaza.

Rewriting the Music Playbook: Harget Kart’s Art of Fusion

By: Yara Marei / Arab America Contributing Writer Imagine a band that takes the ordinary, lights it on fire, and from the ashes creates something extraordinary. This is Harget Kart—a name that, in the Arabic Jordanian dialect, means “to burn a photo card.” Just as their name suggests, Harget Kart has set the conventional boundaries … Continued

Jordanian Excellence: Dr. Omar Hatamleh Leading AI at NASA

By: Yara Marei / Arab America Contributing Writer Jordan has a rich history of contributing to the global community, and its people have made remarkable strides, particularly in the United States. From academia and engineering to medicine and the arts, Jordanians have left a memorable mark on various fields, showcasing their talents and innovation. Among … Continued

Arab America Foundation Announces Performers for National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration, April 18, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (WASHINGTON, DC) April 10, 2023–On Thursday, April 18th, the Arab America Foundation will present its eighth annual National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration at the UDC Theater for the Arts at the University of the District of Columbia, this year paying tribute to the rich heritage and identity of the Palestinian people. … Continued

Palestinian Actress and Comedian Maysoon Zayid to Perform at the National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration, April 18, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (WASHINGTON, DC) March 20, 2023–The Arab America Foundation proudly announces that Palestinian actress and comedian Maysoon Zayid, the first Arab American woman comedian in the U.S., will perform on Thursday, April 18th, at the National Arab American Heritage Month Commemoration: Tribute to the Palestinian Heritage and Identity. The event will take place … Continued

Middle Beast Tour: Bassem Youssef Down the Street From the White House 

YALA YA BASSEM!! One of the most memorable moments of the Arab Spring and its aftermath was Bassem Youssef’s. His show, Al-Berameg, brought laughter to many of our homes. Throughout its three-year run, Al-Berameg attracted more than 30 million viewers per week. However, political pressure forced him to cancel the program after he was detained for allegedly insulting Egypt’s president. His unorthodox start as a surgeon to a now comedian happened during the 2011 uprisings in Egypt. Where he describes feeling a calling to say something about what is happening, not knowing it would lead to the most watched program in the country, his detainment, and exile from his home country. When no one dared to be outwardly political during a regime change, Bassem Youssef pushed the boundaries of free speech in his country, which led him to reside in Los Angeles, California. He is on the Middle Beast tour, which our writer Malak Hassouna enjoyed attending at Warner Theatre in DC.

Ramy Youssef’s Activism on an American Stage 

New Jersey-born Ramy Youssef. He has risen to become a well-known standup comedian, but in recent years, he has also come to our screens in more ways than once as a writer, director, and star of his own Hulu show “Ramy.” He also has displayed his talents through recurring roles on shows like “Mr. Robot” and “See Dad Run,” and even co-created and executive produced the Netflix comedy-drama series “Mo” about a Palestinian-American family. He has already played a significant role in bringing more Arab narratives to our screen. He has actively brought the Palestinian story to our attention even before October 7, 2023. 

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