The Arab World, Breaking Taboos & Comedy: Shaden Fakih

We’re joined by Shaden, a fearless Arab comedian and outspoken voice on identity, politics and freedom of expression, for a raw and unfiltered conversation about queerness, culture and resistance.In this episode, Shaden opens up about growing up in the Arab world and navigating the tension between cultural identity and personal freedom. From challenging taboos around sex, religion and language to confronting censorship and societal expectations, she shares what it really means to speak openly in environments where silence is often enforced.She reflects on the complexity of being both Arab and queer, pushing back against the idea that queerness is a “Western concept” and exploring how colonialism, politics and religion have shaped modern narratives across the Middle East. Alongside this, she opens up about mental health, relationships, identity and the realities of living between cultures, offering a deeply honest perspective on what it means to exist, resist and find moments of joy in a complicated world. Follow us on Social Media: TikTok: @AMAABF Instagram: @AMAABF