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Comedienne Shazia Mirza

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photoEvery comedian has a shtick. Jim Carey has his face. Chris Rock has his edge. Lenny Bruce had that mouth. Shazia Mirza, until recently, had her hijab.

The 28 year-old British comedienne is a proud, devout Muslim — no pork, no drinks, no men until she's married, which right now she's not.

Mirza's deadpan style takes aim at Islamic culture and the West, at the strict upbringing she had with her Pakistani immigrant parents in the UK, and at the glaring misconceptions the West has of Muslims.

The comic who once worked the London comedy scene behind her parents' back has been praised by her fans, and attacked — even physically — by her critics. But, according to The New Statesman, by "doing great routines, she is breaking new ground."

Tune in to hear a conversation with the Muslim comedienne, Shazia Mirza.

Guests:

Shazia Mirza, comedienne. Her latest show is called "The Last Temptation of Mirza."

This program aired on March 4, 2005.

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