Contact Jordan Elgrably, 310.402.8866

[Los Angeles, June 18, 2012] —Angelenos will have a unique opportunity to experience the humor of Egyptian TV host and political satirist Bassem Youssef when he performs live at the Iman Cultural Center on Sat., June 23, 2012, 3:30 pm. This special event will feature a performance and Q & A with Youssef, as well as a performance by stand-up comedian Mike Batayeh and a flamenco performance by Juben Rabbani. Bassem Youssef is presented by the Muslim Public Affairs Council with support from the Levantine Cultural Center, the Egyptian American Organization and other local groups.

Youssef is touring several U.S. cities to film a new show, "America in Arabic," where he is learning more about the USA through the eyes of Americans who have a connection in some way to the Arab world.

A cardiothoracic surgeon who assisted the wounded during the Tahrir Square uprising in 2011, Bassem Youssef became known throughout the Middle East for his humor, intelligence and wit. In March 2011, he launched a satirical show, "The B+ Show," in Egypt in response to the revolution and the Syrian uprising, which has received more than 50 million views on YouTube. "In Egypt and the Arab world in general, you had these really serious talk shows or the slapstick, farce, ha-ha stuff," Youssef said. "I can't be placed in either category. Our aim is to inform but also to entertain people." Read more in The National.

With the success of the show, Egyptian channel ONTV offered Youssef a deal to create the satirical show "alBernameg," which premiered in Ramadan 2011. Youssef has been profiled by press throughout the Arab world, as well as Al Jazeera, The Guardian and Bloomberg Businessweek. He was also recently featured on CNN ("Youssef: Egypt Politics Must Accept Humor").

"The fact that a satirical political show is being widely embraced by the Egyptian public is a healthy sign of things to come," said Deana Nassar, MPAC Hollywood Liaison. "We are happy to host Bassem Youssef as a means of expanding the conversation around the massive changes in the Middle East and North Africa to a Muslim and Arab American audience."

Bassem Youssef*, Sat., June 23, 3:30-6 pm, Iman Cultural Center, 3376 Motor Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034. Tickets, $20 general admission, may be purchased online or by phone, 323.258.6722. * A portion of the show will be in Arabic.

For press inquiries, contact Jordan Elgrably, 310.402.8866.