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Monday, November 6, 2017 7:30 PM // Michigan Theater

Bassem Youssef
The Joke Is Mightier than the Sword

Performance
Photo credit: Sunny Martini
 

Dubbed the Jon Stewart of the Arab World, Bassem Youssef was a cardiothoracic surgeon when he became the creator and host of the wildly popular TV show “Al-Bernameg” — the first political satire show in the Middle East.

Originally a five-minute show shot from his laundry room and posted on YouTube after protests in Tahrir Square unseated Egypt’s ruling elite, it became the most-watched program in the region, with 30 million viewers every week. Throughout its three seasons, the show remained controversial for its hilarious and bold criticism of ruling powers.

Accused of being “anti-Islam” and insulting the President, Youssef was arrested and interrogated before being released on bail. He was forced to terminate the show because of overwhelming political pressures and was subsequently awarded the prestigious International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), presented by Jon Stewart. In The Joke is Mightier than the Sword, Youssef shares his personal story and his thoughts on the political climate that led to the Arab Spring, its parallels to the current state of American politics, and how propaganda lays the foundation for dictatorial regimes. The multimedia presentation includes a talk, video, and audience Q&A.

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Interview: Handstands with Bassem Youssef, political satirist

Our interview with Bassem Youssef, the political satirist exiled from Egypt, conducted while doing handstands 🙌

Monday, November 6, 2017 7:30 PM
Michigan Theater

Bassem Youssef
The Joke Is Mightier than the Sword

Performance

Dubbed the Jon Stewart of the Arab World, Bassem Youssef was a cardiothoracic surgeon when he became the creator and host of the wildly popular TV show “Al-Bernameg” — the first political satire show in the Middle East.

Originally a five-minute show shot from his laundry room and posted on YouTube after protests in Tahrir Square unseated Egypt’s ruling elite, it became the most-watched program in the region, with 30 million viewers every week. Throughout its three seasons, the show remained controversial for its hilarious and bold criticism of ruling powers.

Accused of being “anti-Islam” and insulting the President, Youssef was arrested and interrogated before being released on bail. He was forced to terminate the show because of overwhelming political pressures and was subsequently awarded the prestigious International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), presented by Jon Stewart. In The Joke is Mightier than the Sword, Youssef shares his personal story and his thoughts on the political climate that led to the Arab Spring, its parallels to the current state of American politics, and how propaganda lays the foundation for dictatorial regimes. The multimedia presentation includes a talk, video, and audience Q&A.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

SUPPORTING SPONSOR

UMS LOBBY

Interview: Handstands with Bassem Youssef, political satirist

Our interview with Bassem Youssef, the political satirist exiled from Egypt, conducted while doing handstands 🙌