Stand-up Mohamed Amer... Allah made him funny
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The teacher told young Mohammed Amer that if he would shut up for just a few moments, he could perform his non-stop comedy act in front of the class for seven whole minutes. The sharp-witted 14-year-old boy stood up in front of the class to perform his first show, unaware that this was the beginning of a career in comedy.
Based in America, Amer, also known as Mo, is an Arab comedian of Palestinian descent and the newest member of “Allah Made Me Funny,” the official Muslim comedy tour that also features Azhar Usman and Preacher Moss. “We exchange our ideas, share our experiences and see where we are going,” says Amer.
Born in Kuwait, he fled the country at age nine with the onset of the Gulf War, eventually settling with his family in Houston, Texas.
A natural comedian, according to many, Amer says he was first inspired by the Cosby show. “I was discovering myself [and] finding out what I like and what I don’t [like] and I saw the Bil Cosby show [and] I loved it—I really loved it,” he said. “It hit me in the face. It was like a lightning [bolt].”
“If you follow something that you love and have a talent [for], pursue it [and] you will succeed,” says the young comedian.
Amer says that his material stems from his experience as a Palestinian traveling the world with only an identification document---not a passport---in his hands.
“I am a touring refugee with no citizenship and that in itself is a statement right there,” said Amer. “When you move around the world holding papers instead of a passport, it gets a bit hard, but the situation is pretty much the same for all Muslims dealing with segregation, discrimination and racism .”
“Legally homeless” is the name of Amer’s new stand-up comedy routine, which he is currently performing on a solo tour. “My message is within my comedy,” said Amer, adding that it would be a shame if he did not speak up.
Having performed for “a healthy mix” of diverse international audiences in Australia, Japan, Holland, Germany, England, Bahrain, South Africa, Italy and Ireland, Amer has had some interesting encounters.
Muslim preachers have come up to him several times, telling him that he needs to be more serious at a time when Muslims face so much prejudice.
“C’mon, Muslims live in some of the most oppressive areas of the world. You need laughter as much as you cry,” says Amer.
But his most shocking experience was on stage in the United States. “I was performing and I said that I am an Arab-
American Muslim and there was this vast silence among the
audience ‘til a redneck American said ‘ohhh-hell-noo’ and that was quite shocking,” said Amer.
To break stereotypes of Muslims, the comedian believes that it is necessary to be involved in the community and engaged in dialogue on a regular basis.
“From Australia [to] Japan to the Middle East, the issue is the same. Whatever you are, whether an engineer or a community leader, you can work it your way to break [the stereotypes]. It spins [off] all that negative energy,” he said.
For Amer, life is nothing if he cannot take a stand, feeling that it is his responsibility to speak up. “Whatever background you come from, having tolerance is the key. I am a comedian but a humanitarian at the same time. That’s hitting the jackpot for me,” he added.
Amer performed last Thursday at the fifth annual ceremony of Alashanek Ya Balady (For you, my country), a student club at the American University in Cairo (AUC). He is planning to return to Cairo next Ramadan, along with the other members of “Allah Made Me Funny” tour.
“The cool thing about a Middle Eastern audience is that you can speak Arabic and they will understand,” said Amer.
Many AUC students were excited to see Amer’s show. “I think he is using his talent to teach the whole world about Islam in a funny way, and that’s amazing,” said Ahmed Reda, an electronic engineering junior at AUC.
“Comedy is a new thing in AUC and so many AUCians know about him and like him. That’s why we contacted him,” said Mohamed Ibrahim, president of AYB.