Allah Made Me Funny October 14, 2009

Big Laugh Comedy Attractions presents
Allah Made Me Funny
At Riverside Theatres
Wednesday, 14 October at 7pm
One Night Only
Acclaimed comedians, Preacher Moss, Mohammad Azeem and Azhar Usman lift the veil to reveal the humorous truth of what it’s really like to be a Muslim in America. After raging success in North America and the United Kingdom, Allah Made Me Funny makes its Riverside Theatres premiere on Wednesday, 14 October for one night only.

Allah Made Me Funny is written and performed by comedians Preacher Moss, Mohammad Azeem
and Azhar Usman. The men poke fun at themselves, their communities, government, human nature
and the tricky predicament of living in post-9/11 America.

Preacher Moss said “The purpose of my comedy reflects my Islamic beliefs, as Muslims we cannot be
isolationist. My choice of dialogue is laughter with a message of overall commitment to improving
society as a whole”.

The men draw on different elements to counter the negative stereotypes and attitudes about Muslims
and Arabs. Azhar Usman, a former community activist, lawyer and a successful entrepreneur was
born in Chicago to Indian parents. He plays off his American Muslim upbringing and his bushy bearded
look and has developed a funny act filled with keen and witty insights based on trans-ethnic and
intercultural issues.

Preacher Moss, a former writer for George Lopez, Damon Wayans, Saturday Night Live’s Darrel
Hammond and Politically Incorrect’s Bill Maher is likened by the Seattle Times to comedy legend
Dick Gregory. Moss warmly and irreverently illuminates the experience of being black and Muslim
comparing Osama to Tupac and making light of his conversion to Islam. Mr Moss explains, “it involves
courage to step out of the shadows of silence, and fear and reach out and build bridges. We’re building
bridges through humour and understanding to make that journey a little easier for all of us”.

Mohammad Azeem grew up in Houston, Texas after fleeing Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War as a
refugee. At the age of nineteen, he was the first Arab-American refugee to perform for the US and
coalition troops. In 2004, he was selected as one of twelve to perform in the Las Vegas Comedy
Festival and he has toured Europe, South Africa and Australia. Azeem gets laughs from everything
including check points, marital misunderstandings and his very Arab family.

Following its original tour the show was profiled by media outlets across the world including BBC,
Washington Post, Newsweek, Fox News, CBS and The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

“One of the unexpected consequences of the 9/11 attacks in the United States is an upsurge in humour
by and about Muslims, which has begun to be enjoyed by a wider audience”.
BBC, October 2004
www.allahmademefunny.com
ALLAH MADE ME FUNNY
Riverside THEATRE, Cnr Church and Market Sts, Parramatta
DATE: Wednesday, 14 October 2009
TIME: 7PM
TICKET PRICES: $45
BOOKINGS: Riverside Box Office 02 8839 3399 or www.riversideparramatta.com.au

Official Website: http://www.allahmademefunny.com