Comedy vs. “Hezb”: The Battle for Free Expression

In Lebanon, the line between comedy and censorship is a thin one, as Feras Hatoum is currently discovering. He produces a show that portrays a satire of the Other Shiaa: He who is free, libertarian, who expresses himself without hindrance and, worse, who laughs at those whose totalitarian thought refuses difference. This is HOPE.

Recently, LBCI aired a new comedic series by Mohammad Dayekh and Hussein Kawook which faced criticism from some groups for allegedly poking fun at Shia individuals.

The first episode of the show, directed and written by Lebanese Shia individuals, featured a Shia teacher teaching students about the “Shia conversational language” and played with stereotypes.

This is the first time a show of this nature has been aired on mainstream TV in Lebanon. While the series received positive attention and went viral, it also received negative reactions from those who misunderstood the content.

However, this bold move has not come without consequences. Recently, unidentified individuals targeted the LBCI channel, the network that airs Hatoum’s show, with a bomb. The explosion caused significant material damage to the building. This attack follows a targeted campaign against the show, as reported by SKeyes. This all of this came just weeks after the headquarters of Lebanon’s Al Jadeed news channel have been attacked three times in the last week.

These acts of violence are in response to the airing of comedy sketches that some viewers deemed offensive towards the Shiite community in the south of the country. In the sketch, Lebanese comedian Joanna Karaki, wearing a black hijab and impersonating a southern Lebanese accent, said that UN peacekeepers in Lebanon “were let in the south” to maintain “peace”, including “Italians” and “English”, but they ended up “marrying their daughters”, resulting in “three quarters of children in the south having blue and green eyes and blond hair”. The sketch came after the death of Irish soldier Sean Rooney, 24, who was shot in the head when his convoy came under attack in the southern village of Al Aqbiya on December 14 while travelling back to Beirut Airport.

It is clear that these comedy sketches are striking a chord with those who seek to silence any form of dissent in Lebanon. The targeting of the Al Jadeed news channel and the bombing of the LBCI channel are a reminder of the dangers faced by those who dare to speak out against the status quo in the country.

But these comedy shows are not just about making people laugh; they are also about making them think. Through satire, they are shining a light on the oppressive forces in Lebanon and encouraging people to question the status quo. In a country where freedom of expression is often limited, these shows are a beacon of hope for those who want to see a more open and tolerant society.

It is crucial that the international community stands in solidarity with these comedians and other artists like them who are fighting for their right to free expression in Lebanon. We must support their efforts to push back against the forces of oppression and censorship and stand up for the right to speak freely without fear of violence or retaliation.