A new festival will feature comedians from Arab-American and other minority backgrounds.
The 1001 Laughs Dearborn Comedy Festival happens September 27 and 28 at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn.
Amer Zahr is the festival's producer and he'll also be performing a few sets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PfZl0O9qPA
He says comedy can be a powerful art form in the midst of racism and prejudice. Zahr says if you can make somebody laugh, they'll listen to you.
"Comedy has a way of bringing us all to the same level. And we can tell our stories in that way and humanize Arabs and Muslims in America, which if you watch the news is something that we need to do."
The festival's headliner is Ahmed Ahmed, co-founder of the Axis of Evil comedy tour. (You might also recognize him from the TV show "Sullivan & Son.") The lineup includes national and local comedians.
Zahr says the festival is intended for everyone. And at the end of the day, the point is to make people laugh.
