Ali Al Sayed

Laughter is contagious, ask Ali Al Sayed. 

The Emirati comic’s love of making people laugh has not only allowed him to turn a passion into a profit, but has helped him pioneer a landscape for stand-up comedy in the region. 

Throughout his career, he has performed alongside great international comics as well as raising the bar for the local scene. His lightning fast wit and rapport with audiences has ensured Al Sayed has performed at some of the world’s most historic comedy venues and featured on comedy specials on PBS, CBS and BBC World.

More than just a ‘funnyman’ Al Sayed is the founder of Viva Arts and co-director of Dubomedy Arts (which he runs with his wife, Mina), the first comedy and urban arts school in the region — all with the goal of creating a grass-roots comedy industry, that will give comedians from the Arab world the opportunity to make people laugh on the international stage.