On Wednesday, November 1st, the Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum, in partnership with the Egyptian Students Association, held a film screening of “Tickling Giants,” the story of Dr. Bassem Youssef. The documentary follows Youssef as he left his job in Egypt as a heart surgeon in order to become a full-time comedian. The film showcases Youssef’s rise to become the “Egyptian Jon Stewart,” as well as the trials faced by Youssef and his team on his satirical show, “Al Bernameg,” during the Arab Spring in Egypt.
The screening was held in North Quad, and was very well attended. Following the screening, the president of the Egyptian Student Association, Yasmeen Afifi, and the vice-president, Moustafa El-Kashlan, led a discussion aimed at thinking about the film itself, as well as thinking about the events that took place in Egypt at the time the documentary was being created.
The screening was the first of several exciting events leading up to Bassem Youssef’s visit to the University of Michigan. On Monday November 6th, Youssef will be performing at the Michigan Theater. In “The Joke is Mightier then 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, audience Q&A, and book signing. You can find tickets here. On November 7th, the Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum and the Weiser Center for Emerging Democracies are hosting a panel titled, “Unraveling the Arab Spring.” The panel includes several distinguished faculty members at the University of Michigan, as well as Dr. Bassem Youssef.
We hope you’ll join us for these awesome events!