Comedian Nour Hajjar Called In Reportedly Over Joke Relating To Lebanese Army

In a post shared on his Instagram account, Lebanese stand-up comedian Nour Hajjar revealed that he had been called in for questioning at the military police center in Rihanieh. Hajjar captioned the post, “I wonder what it will be about!”.

Of course, Hajjar and everyone else immediately knew that this summoning was related to a video segment he had shared on his account only a day prior. In the video of one of his performances at Awkword, Hajjar says, “Have you noticed that all Toters [delivery drivers] are army personnel?…You tell him ‘give me back 5’ and he drops”.

Hajjar was highlighting the fact that since the economic collapse, many army soldiers have been forced to take up odd jobs. The severe devaluation of the Lebanese Lira left many with salaries at as little as $90 per month, and little to no benefits.

The joke, while well received by some, received backlash from many on social media, including media personalities like model Nadine Wilson Njeim who had a lot to say on the matter.

@nadinewnjeim #الجيش_اللبناني ♬ Experience (Cover Ludovico Einaudi) – 北昼

On the other hand, other personalities like comedian Fouad Yammine shared perspectives in support of Nour and our freedoms of speech.

The irony is striking: most are angrier at Nour Hajjar’s joke about the soldiers’ poverty than the actual issue of their underpayment, living conditions, and the theft of their life savings by a corrupt ruling class.

Hajjar is not the only comedian to have had run-ins with the state. In the past, comedian Shaden Fakih had been repeatedly called in for a medley of reasons ranging from a joke she made about a sanitary pad to her criticisms of Lebanese politicians.

Despite varied opinions on freedoms of speech and what should or should not be joked about, the truth remains that “regimes which favour free speech also favour policies that improve the subjective wellbeing of people who have fewer resources”.