Omid Djalili, the Iranian-British standup comedian, actor and writer, has just returned to perform in Saudi Arabia for the first time in 15 years. His recent involvement with the Riyadh Comedy Festival drew renewed scrutiny due to the country’s troubling human rights history. Djalili, who has established a prominent career in comedy and is currently on a UK tour titled “Namaste,” explained his motivations for accepting the gig and addressed the complexities surrounding performance in such a politically sensitive environment.
Djalili did put on a great show at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, though. To maximize local audiences, he catered his performances to include jokes specific to Saudi culture. He worried that by taking a gig in Saudi Arabia, he would undermine his ability to use comedy to speak truth to power on important issues. Yet, he believes that allowing international performances in the Kingdom, particularly in the realm of comedy, can subtly broaden the boundaries of what is thinkable and sayable within Saudi society.
It was the first time Djalili had done stand-up in Saudi Arabia in more than 12 years. He knew the difficult call he needed to make even before he agreed to play. He had previously turned down comparable roles because of his hardline approach against countries with poor human rights track records. I told them I’m not coming because I will not play in a country that’s responsible for 9/11,” he shouted. He illuminated how U.S.-Saudi relations dictate the decisions and duties of artists.
Djalili’s recent show was nevertheless intended to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable. He stated, “It’s not about what you hear, it’s about being here,” emphasizing the importance of experiencing the culture firsthand rather than relying solely on media portrayals. His goal was to connect with regular Saudis and to tackle deeper cultural problems in Saudi society through humor.
In reflecting on the criticism he received, Djalili noted that a blanket boycott of Saudi Arabia often overlooks the complexities faced by ordinary citizens. Chris expressed well that it’s easy to dismiss Saudi society as a whole and in doing so you often condescend those who do life there. To critics who blasted his decision, he tweeted back, “Your hypocrisy will never be lost on me.”
Djalili’s show, “Namaste,” tackles the thick geopolitical culture of the Middle East. It attempts to tell the story of the incredible progress achieved throughout the region. He listed some of the major achievements, especially in the area of women’s rights, as significant successes. Up until 2018, it was illegal for women to drive in Saudi Arabia. He dove into this culture shift with humor as he opened his set.
As a comedian of Iranian descent, Djalili’s artistic practice has been informed by struggles against identity and representation. He recalled becoming “cancelled” post 9/11 simply for being of Middle Eastern descent. He disputed the notion that he is Arab or a terrorist, although that’s what many viewers thought he was saying. It’s this background that feeds his approach to comedy, using his craft to dig deeper and make even the most challenging subjects complex and human.