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Actor Ramy Youssef, in his recent “Saturday Night Live” monologue, voiced a heartfelt plea for a free Palestine, which was met with cheers and applause from the audience.
Youssef opened his speech by discussing the array of spiritual events happening simultaneously, citing the “Holy month of Ramadan” and Easter, and jokingly referencing Beyonce’s latest album as a third spiritual event.
As a Muslim himself, Ramy revealed he often prays for his other friends, proceeding to mention that he got a call from his friend Ahmed, who asked for prayers for his family in Gaza.
“So that night, I go to pray, and my prayers are complicated. I’ve got a lot to fit in.” Youssef continued, “I’m like, ‘God, please, please help Ahmed’s family. Please stop the suffering. Stop the violence. Please free the people of Palestine, please. And please free the hostages, all the hostages, please.”
He continued, “And while you’re at it, you know, free Mr. Bojangles. He’s a beautiful dog. I’m praying for that dog.”
Youssef also addressed the upcoming US elections and the need for greater diversity in leadership, offering a suggestion himself, “I think our next president should be a trans woman.”
Reflecting on his own experiences, he recounted an amusing interaction with a Biden campaign staffer named Muhammad who contacted him directly, saying “We love everything that you’ve done for Arab America.” Youssef added, “He said it like it was a country.”
Outside of his comedy, Youssef has been an outspoken advocate for peace, wearing an Artists for Ceasefire pin to the Academy Awards.
In an earlier interview with Variety, he said, “We’re calling for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We’re calling for peace and lasting justice for the people of Palestine. It’s a universal message of, ‘Let’s stop killing kids. Let’s not be part of more war.’ No one has ever looked back at war and thought a bombing campaign was a good idea. To be surrounded by so many artists who are willing to lend their voices, the list is growing. A lot of people are going to be wearing these pins tonight. There’s a lot of talking heads on the news, this is a space of talking hearts. We’re trying to have this big beam to humanity.”
The comedian, known for his work on “Ramy” and “Mo,” recently premiered his second HBO comedy special, “More Feelings,” where he delves into various societal issues with his trademark humor. Youssef has also ventured into film, starring in Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” earlier this year.
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