Review: Maz Jobrani's emotional Abu Dhabi farewell brings laughter and tears

Diet Coke on my right and a black pouch containing my locked phone on my left, a reporter sat on a folding chair, unsure what to expect from Maz Jobrani's phone-free comedy show. This would be the last performance for the Iranian-American comedian, who had been diagnosed with cancer after emergency brain surgery in December. As Jobrani announced that this was the final show in the UAE after 20 years, the audience burst into applause.

Reflecting on his career, Jobrani recounted coming of age, generational differences, and the Middle East's unique blend of similarity and difference. He revealed his plan to beat cancer by laughing at it, visibly moved by his own words. The scars on his head, a result of his surgery, were a stark reminder of his journey. Jobrani, dressed in a blue shirt, appeared different from his previous appearances, with his scars visible to the audience.

The comedian's performance was emotionally charged, with attendees Sofia and Sahar expressing their tears and the bittersweet nature of the evening. Jobrani's set was peppered with Middle Eastern political references, but his central message was to spread love. Despite the geopolitical instability, the comedian emphasized the power of comedy and art to humanize and bring people together.

Jobrani's connection to the UAE was evident, as he had previously performed in the Gulf country 20 years ago as part of the Axis of Evil Comedy tour. The evening also featured Emirati-Omani comedian Abz Ali and Tehran Ghasri, who opened with jokes about the nationalities in the audience and current events, respectively.