Local satirists reflect on Jordanians’ sense of humour

AMMAN — In defiance of the popular belief that Jordanians are too serious to laugh out loud, a gathering of 400 people were in stitches as a panel of four local satirists pondered the question: “How do Jordanians laugh?” 

Jordanians are not a serious nation, and they have proved to be quite humorous, Ad Dustour columnist Yousef Ghishan, the session’s moderator, said.

“The evidence that proves my claim is the daily comments that Jordanians make on ongoing regional and local issues. I have been following their comments on the latest blizzard and I found that they have become very funny,” Ghishan said at the discussion on Monday, organised by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation. 

For panellist Musa Hijazin, a veteran local comedian, the government is what motivates Jordanians to laugh, turning each individual into a satirist.

The actor’s performance in the political satire “Alaan fahimtkum” or “Now I Understand You” has made him increasingly popular among Jordanians.

The play, which was performed for a year-and-a-half, was written by satirist and Al Rai columnist Ahmed Hassan Al Zoubi, another panellist at the discussion.

“Jordanians don’t laugh at clowns; they do have a real appreciation of constructive comedy, as they think it provides an outlet for them,” Zoubi said. 

“Jordanians have actually become excessively funny and humorous in the last three years; MPs have even started to write satirical pieces, while all Jordanians are laughing at their performance in the House,” he added jokingly.

For young cartoonist Omar Abdallat, frustration also plays a part in nurturing comedic talents.

“Because of my low academic achievement in maths, the teacher told me that I was a hopeless case and advised me to pursue a career that does not involve any intellectual activity,” said Abdallat, who produces animation videos for the Amman-based Kharabeesh network.

“In that creativity-nurturing setting, my artistic talent emerged.” 

After the discussion, parts of Hijazin, Zoubi and Abdallat’s plays and sketches were screened to laughter and applause.