Ask Shazia Mirza transcript
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| This event took place Thursday 31st January, 2002 |
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Shazia Mirza
Comedienne Shazia Mirza, joined us for a Live Chat and answered your questions about her profession, hecklers and lots more ...
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Question from Laura: Have you always wanted to be a comedienne?
Shazia Mirza: I always knew that I wanted to be on the stage and be funny. But, to be honest, being a comedian was never a possibility when thought of pursuing that as a career.
Question from Irfan Khan: Do you not think you are using Islam & your culture for your benefit, thus being rather exploitative, because if it was a white person doing what you are doing would there not be an up raw?
Shazia Mirza: If there was an white person doing what I was doing there would be a huge uproar. I feel that because I'm Muslim that I feel I have the right to make light of a religion which the world sees as so serious and, at the end of the day, I'm an entertainer.
Question from Sadie: Do you feel you are a role model?
Shazia Mirza: I hope that I'm a role model for somebody somewhere because when I was growing up there were no role models for me. My role model was Madonna and the difference between myself and Madonna was huge! I feel for most young Muslim girls they have no role models.
Question from Tom Willmott: Do you love your profession and if so why?
Shazia Mirza: I love doing comedy, I love it and that's why I do it.
Question from Reza Karim: Do you think what you do is in accordance to the Islamis shariah law, and why do you take your hijab off in some of the shows?
Shazia Mirza: I did my act for nine months without my hijab on, and then I decided to wear it because I wanted to say that Muslim women can wear it without feeling oppressed. Islam gives women a lot of freedom, there is no difference between a stand-up comic and me being a teacher. My religion is between me and God and nobody has the right to tell me whether I'm a good Muslim or a bad Muslim.
Question from Iram Ali: If you weren't an entertainer, what would you be doing?
Shazia Mirza: If I wasn't an entertainer, I'd be a full-time science teacher in an eastend comprehensive - which is where I teach now.
Question from Tom Willmott: Were you teased about your religion and colour at school?
Shazia Mirza: Never. I went to a very multi-cultural school in Birmingham and it was a brilliant school where we all learnt and appreciated each others cultures.
Question from Kevin K: Are your family supportive of your comedic role?
Shazia Mirza: I think my mother is and my father is partly proud, but the other part feels that they have to answer to the extremists in the community. They're proud of me but they have to answer to two sets of people because they have to live in a large extended Muslim community in Birmingham.
Question from Demargio Riviera: How long have you been a comedienne?
Shazia Mirza: Two years.
Question from R M: Are all your jokes centered around your race or religion?
Shazia Mirza: No - I talk about other things like teaching, travelling, family, friends ... a lot of different topics.
Question from Tracey Gane: What is your technique for handling hecklers?
Shazia Mirza: I ask them if they've heard of a fattwah and then they usually freeze!
Question from Iram Ali: What advice would you give to an Asian girl who wants to enter in the entertainment industry, in accordance with Islam?
Shazia Mirza: As long as they know their religion inside out and know the boundaries and know the truth of the Koran, that it gives women a lot of freedom and power, it's up to them if they know the rules of Islam correctly.
Question from Reza Karim: There are rumours that you wouldn't hold back on making jokes on sensitive issues about Islam. Is this correct?
Shazia Mirza: It depends what sensitive issues there are. I would never make jokes that would hurt anybody or challenge Islam in any way. I make jokes mainly about Muslim culture and my life as a Muslim woman.
Question from John: How did you feel about the governments attempt to introduce legislation banning comedy based on religion?
Shazia Mirza: I don't agree with that. I feel that comedians should be able to make jokes about anything they want. The white laddie blokes of Britain are more likely to learn from comedians than they are from politicians.
Question from Tim Beecher: Do you ever get stage fright?
Shazia Mirza: No. I get frightened before I get on stage, but whilst I'm on stage, I feel at home.
Question from Demargio Riviera: What do you think of other Asian comedians?
Shazia Mirza: Well, I don't know any other Asian female comedians but I think the male Asian comedians - a lot of them are very good.
Question from Ajay: What's the biggest audience you've performed in front of?
Shazia Mirza: Um ... The Edinburgh Playhouse which held about 4,000.
Question from Patel: Why do you think it is a good idea to encourage other Islamic females to the stage?
Shazia Mirza: Because if it's acceptable for them to be involved in other professions, why not the stage? If we are the same as anybody else, why can't we be involved in the same as everybody else?
Question from Olly Zaja: Who's your favourite comedian?
Shazia Mirza: My favourite comedians are Eddie Izzard, Dave Allen, Joan Rivers ...
Question from R M: What is your biggest ambition?
Shazia Mirza: To be the first Muslim woman to win an Oscar.
Question from Av Singh: Do you think your comedy is vastly different to others within the comedy circuit?
Shazia Mirza: Very different, because it is truly representative of my life and beliefs and there are no other Muslim women out there who give such a view, I think the public are entitled to hear my view.
Question from Colin Bell: Do you feel that doing comedy about Islam/Muslims etc may help to 'normalise' a misunderstood community at such a sensitive time in world politics?
Shazia Mirza: Yes, I do, because Jews make jokes about themselves, so do Christians and Catholics, why can't Muslims? I think that is why the world is so scared of Islam because they think it takes itself so seriously but, yet, there is so much humour in Islam.
Question from Greg Roberts: Which is more important, laughter or social change?
Shazia Mirza: Laughter. Through laughter you can get social change.
Question from Jim1: Have you found that different cultures react very differently to your comedy?
Shazia Mirza: I feel that everybody that I've ever performed to loves my comedy, the only people that have been upset have been Muslim men. But, normally, everybody loves it.
Question from Patel: What is more important to you, Islam or your career?
Shazia Mirza: Islam.
Question from Caite: I want to be a comedian - what tips could you give me?
Shazia Mirza: If you've got a life then you've got something to talk about and remember that truth is funny! Write about your life, write about the things that happened to you that were funny and have the courage to go on stage and perform your material.
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