This Conservative Muslim reared woman, Mona Shaikh, came to America, became a comedian, and is making a difference.
Mona Shaikh & her story shines
This was one of my most enjoyable interviews. Mona Shaikh is electric. Her comedy is intelligent. She sees beyond the stereotypes and is able to give context. She knows how to make fun of the supremely silly yet without leaving the aggriever completely demoralized. That lends itself to great comedy that all can enjoy. Most importantly, it is comedy that can teach subliminally.
Mona combines a South Asian sensibility with strong Americanized values cherishing the First Amendment—the right to bear witness with a big freedom-loving mouth that raises eyebrows and temperatures. She has a hell of an offbeat sense of humor. Shaikh is a non-uptight tightrope walker who commit serious oralgami, unfolding the spoken word while striving to maintain equilibrium whilst dealing with harsh and conflicting forces.
Shaikh spent half of her life in a prominent conservative Muslim household in Pakistan. When she came to America she immersed into America’s entertainment and culture. She new she was set out to break boundaries.
Today Mona resides in Los Angeles, Calif., pursuing her career as a comedian and actor while developing her upcoming One-Hour Special and Comedy TV series. She also made history by becoming the first Pakistani female Comedian to headline Hollywood Improv.
Mona was most recently featured in LA Times, Forbes, LA Weekly, NBC, The Progressive and Huffington Post. Mona has headlined in Dubai, Portugal and London. She also emcee’d the Womens March in SF in 2019 thus making history to be the first South Asian/Middle Eastern female comedian to perform for a crowd of 60K. She recently appeared on The Rookie on ABC as Donna Abbasi and will also be on Apple TV’s Helpsters as Reina Rafter. She again made history by producing her own show at The World Famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles called Minority Reportz with a launch of sold-out shows.
Mona is intent on making a difference by supporting worthwhile causes. On Thursday October 28th, 2021 from 6pm-11pm, her Minority Reportz presents “No Laughing Matter : Comedy Benefit for Afghanistan Resettled Refugees” at Caspian Restaurant in Irvine.
The Taliban came to put burkas on Afghan women to silence their voices, so Minority Reportz decided to give a platform to the only Afghan female comedian along with other Middle Eastern & South Asian comics to make fun of the 72 desperate virgins known as the Taliban to raise funds for the great American-helping Afghans resettling in the US. Comedians have featured on Comedy Central, Apple TV+, and Hulu.
For one night only, the show will feature a unique & distinctive lineup that represent the diaspora. This night features an exclusive evening filled with hilarious comedy followed by a Move over Hollywood, Here comes Bollywood After Party by DJ Kush.
Please listen to the entire interview.
