Azhar Usman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Azhar Usman is an American Muslim standup comedian. Writing and performing comedy for the past several years, he has developed a unique act based on transethnic and intercultural issues, keen and witty insights, and general observational humor. In 2004, he co-founded Allah Made Me Funny — The Official Muslim Comedy Tour with fellow Muslim comedian Preacher Moss, a 21-year veteran of the comedy industry and a former writer for George Lopez, Darrell Hammond, and Damon Wayans.
The New Republic Online wrote: "In the world of 'Allah Made Me Funny,' Usman is the show. He's not just a person in whom two cultures clash, he's a wholly new invention: a world-weary comic, yes, but also a strictly optimistic believer, a political activist and obedient follower, a preacher and rebel all rolled up into one, swirling the audience's unspoken fears, expectations, and preconceptions in a richly entertaining mix."
Beyond comedy, Azhar is also an experienced lecturer, presenting around the country on a variety of subjects. Drawing on his insights as a successful entrepreneur, lawyer, and community activist, Azhar's lectures are insightful and in-demand. He serves as a co-founding Board Member of The Nawawi Foundation, an educational non-profit foundation created to foster research and development of an American Muslim intelligentsia to support American Muslim social and cultural creativity. He also serves on the Strategic Advisory Board of The Starlatch Press, a publisher and purveyor of translated classical and traditional Muslim texts.
Azhar has taken classes at the world famous Second City Training Center in Chicago, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School.
