Audience member calls police on Egyptian-American comedian over terrorism jokes: 'They feared for their lives'

Suzy Byrne
·Editor, Yahoo Entertainment
Updated
0

A comedy clubgoer in Naples, Fla., called police to report that Egyptian-American standup Ahmed Ahmed told a joke about organizing a terrorist organization.

One day after seeing the comedian, the unidentified man called the non-emergency police line to report the “terrible” joke the comic said at the start of the show.

According to the call released by the Collier County Sheriff's Office, the caller noted that Ahmed Ahmed is “you know, Middle Eastern” and said he asked the audience if anyone was from that region of the world.

“A whole bunch of people raised their hands and said, ‘I’m from Iraq,’ ‘I’m from Iran,’ ‘I’m from Pakistan,’ ‘I’m from here, I’m from there.’ And he said, ‘We could organize our own little terrorist organization.’ And I don’t think that was right,” the caller said. “It really bothered me. And I yelled out: ‘Yeah, and the paddywagon’s going to be outside to get all of you.’”

The man went on to note that there were about “25 Muslims” at the show, and wanted police to go to the comedy club to investigate.

“I just thought it was terrible. My wife and I looked at each other and felt very uncomfortable,” he added, and noted that he didn’t want his name used.

Needless to say, Ahmed Ahmed — who shared footage of his friendly interaction with officers who responded — was stunned.

“You can’t write this s***,” the funnyman said to police officers. “This is really happening.”

While laughing, one of the officers said he couldn’t believe the received such a ridiculous call. “I think it’s the first time for everyone here honestly.”

Ahmed Ahmed later told the local NBC affiliate, "I don't know if it's fear, racism, ignorance, or Islamophobia, or whatever you want to call it. It's unfortunate that somebody was very adamant about making a point to make a 911 call." (Note, while Ahmed Ahmed and NBC referred to it as a 911 call, the dispatcher tweeted that it was “a non emergency call on the admin line, not 911.”)

The comedy club has since released video of the comic’s performance.

“It only takes one of us,” Ahmed Ahmed quipped to the audience, which roared with laughter, before he added, “to tell a joke.”

Then he made fun of the audience for being “scared” by his “takes one of us” joke — and told them to “calm down.” He then quipped, “F*** that — lock the doors.”

People who were in the audience have since defended him online.

The comedy club, which received no complaint from the caller directly before the man called police, have since booked Ahmed Ahmed — who has lived in America since he was a month old — for another show.

The internet is mostly in shock over the ridiculous call.

And think the caller should be investigated himself.

Though several people did make jokes about it occurring in Florida.

Read more on Yahoo Entertainment:

Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Lifestyle’s newsletter.

Advertisement

Recommended Stories