The article reflects on the profound impact of Hisham al-Hashimi's assassination on the author's life. A colleague in Iraq, Hisham was a source of light and humor amidst chaos, often bringing laughter even in dire circumstances. His refusal to back down in the face of threats and his commitment to truth are highlighted. Following Hisham's death in 2020, the author embraced comedy as a tribute, commemorating their friendship while confronting their grief and tension, ultimately allowing themselves to let go and celebrate Hisham's life and spirit.
There's nothing funny about your co-worker being assassinated, but it was the death of my beloved colleague and friend Hisham al-Hashimi that led me into the world of standup comedy.
He'd witnessed Saddam's crimes, the invasion, the civil war, then Islamic State. Hundreds of thousands of people killed every few years. And I was worried about an awkward end to my workshop, when Hisham had survived all that.
He was shot outside his home in July 2020, while his wife and young children were inside. He'd been receiving threats for months from militias who were angry about his journalism.
Even with the pressure bearing down on him, he still found joy everywhere and was able to excavate the humour from the bleakest of situations.
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