'Muslim, Interrupted': Rethinking comedy in the age of Trump
Comedian Ali Hassan opens up about how growing Islamophobia has changed the way he approaches his work
Ali Hassan is busy. He's a comedian and an actor (you may remember him from this piece of Canadiana). He's hosting Canada Reads and has his own CBC Radio show Laugh Out Loud. And somehow he's also in the midst of touring his show Muslim, Interrupted across the country.
As much storytelling as it is comedy, Muslim, Interrupted was born of Hassan's desire to poke fun at some of the experiences and misconceptions around being Muslim. Then, amidst a growing Islamophobic tone in North America and the election of Donald Trump, Muslim, Interrupted started to take on new meaning for Hassan.
"I didn't set out to do something 'important'. But as the global climate has become a little more hostile towards Islam in general and Muslims in particular, I see that now," he says.
Filmmaker Evar Simon caught up with Hassan on tour in Moncton to hear what Muslim, Interrupted means to the comedian today. And it turns out the show's been increasingly empowering. As Hassan says proudly: "If this is a piece of resistance — having a voice that lends some credibility and integrity — I'm very, very happy and pleased that I'm able to be part of that."
Ali Hassan hosts Canada Reads, March 27-30. And you can keep up with his tour dates here.
Watch Exhibitionists on Friday nights at 12:30am (1am NT) and Sundays at 3:30pm (4pm NT) on CBC Television.
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