American comedian and television personality Carol Burnett famously noted that 'comedy is tragedy plus time'. Numerous other thinkers and artists have made similar claims about the opposing yet interconnected roles of comedy and tragedy. The ancient timehonoured symbols of Greek theatre, the sock and buskin, set the laughing and crying faces side by side. In these fragile and uncertain times, it seems more and more difficult to find things to smile, let alone laugh, about. Even satirists find their greatest ideas paling in comparison with the absurdity of social and political reality. This issue of Critical Muslim explores notions of humour in different societies, in Islamic history, and in a globalised world. Amidst the international tragedies that have defined the late second decade of the twenty-first century, humour reminds us of the continuity of our stories and the interconnected nature of our world. The hope is that, one day, the turbulent storms engulfing the world will clear, and we will once again find something to smile about. If we still have a sense of humour on the other side. About Critical Muslim: A quarterly publication of ideas and issues showcasing groundbreaking thinking on Islam and what it means to be a Muslim in a rapidly changing, interconnected world. Each edition centers on a discrete theme, and contributions include reportage, academic analysis, cultural commentary, photography, poetry, and book reviews.

Book Information
ISBN 9781787384873
Author Ziauddin Sardar
Format Paperback
Page Count 236
Imprint C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Publisher C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Weight(grams) 138g