“The Tina Fey of the Arab World” talks comedy and taboos at the Women in the World Summit

posted on: Apr 29, 2015

Jordanian comedian Tima Shomali has been called many things since starting her controversial career in comedy, but that’s never put a downer on her efforts to fight for what she really believes in.

Tima became the first female comedian in Jordan to start up her own YouTube web series, which has since become the most popular show in Jordan with a strong 25 million viewers. The show, titled FemaleShow, broaches taboo topics like sex, dating and sexual harassment.

But Tima’s work isn’t only directed at her Arab viewers. The witty artist aims to change the rest of the world’s preconceived stereotypes about Arab women.

“We laugh,” she said. “We cry. We are humans.”

This month, the young comedian made Arabian Business’s “100 Most Powerful Arabs Under 40” and has even been nicknamed “The Tina Fey of the Arab World,” The New York Times reported.

Iraqi-American author and activist Zainab Salbi interviewed Shomali at the Women in the World Summit on Friday afternoon. Watch the funny, inspiring interview below. 

Source: www.albawaba.com