Zahra Noorbakhsh

Zahra Noorbakhsh

On Behalf of All Muslims

ZAHRA NOORBAKHSH is a Feminist Muslim, Iranian-American comedian and cohost of the award-winning podcast, #GoodMuslimBadMuslim. The podcast was listed as a “must listen,” by Oprah Magazine and Zahra was invited to the White House by the Obama Administration to record an episode. She is a resident Senior Fellow with the Pop Culture Collaborative on comedy for social impact and published the report “Funny is Funny” which has been hailed as the farm-to-table field guide on humor. The theatrical world premiere of her standup comedy special, “On Behalf of All Muslims,” presented by Golden Thread Productions, drew a record-breaking audience of 700 people to Brava’s Theater for Women in the Arts.

VIDEOS

See Zahra Noorbakhsh in action.

FULL BIO

On Behalf of All Muslims

Zahra’s performances continue to be intergenerational and intercultural crowd favorites. An excerpt of her one-person show, “Hijab and Hammerpants,” made its debut to 3,000 people at the Paramount Theater, for WNYC’s live broadcast of Snap Judgment, her one-person show, “All Atheists are Muslim,” originally directed by CNN’s W. Kamau Bell, was dubbed a highlight of the International New York City Fringe Theater Festival by the New Yorker.

She continues to write, perform, and speak on humor. Her essay, “Coming Out As Bisexual When You’re Muslim and Married,” reached 80 million people. Reza Aslan says “always insightful, always subversive…Zahra’s comedic romps disrupt an outdated narrative.” Noorbakhsh’s writing is featured in the NY Times and on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Find out more at ZahraComedian.com.

PRESS

Our speakers get attention.

  • Coming out as Bi When You’re Muslim and Married
    In June, I decided I needed to come out to my parents as bisexual. I’m 36 and married to a man, so it felt a little late in life to…
  • In A Climate Of Fear, A Comedian Remembers What Makes Her Brave
    A rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes made comedian Zahra Noorbakhsh uneasy about performing live. Then she remembered a childhood experience that helped her regain her footing.
  • Comedian Zahra Noorbakhsh On What’s Missing From The Conversation Around Louis C.K.’s Apology
    Discovering the power of comedy wasn't quite a laughing matter for comedian Zahra Noorbakhsh.
  • After Trump’s Election, A Nonpracticing Muslim Returns To Prayer
    Zahra Noorbakhsh A Nonpracticing Muslim Returns To Prayer
  • It’s Not This Muslim Comedian’s Job to Open Your Mind
    In November, a few days after the election, I got a call from a television producer, inviting me to be on her popular variety show.
  • ‘See You Tonight!’ ‘I Needed This!’: How A Ritual Friday Gathering Brought Healing
    How A Ritual Friday Gathering Brought Healing
BOOK Zahra Noorbakhsh

Make your event unforgettable.

Scroll to Top