When I started out, it was around the whole 9/11 - Islamophobia was just sort of hitting a second wind. Obviously that informed a lot of my humor, and it influenced a lot of what I was talking about on stage because it was extremely relevant at the time.

In this quote, Riaad Moosa reflects on how significant events, particularly 9/11, shaped his comedy early in his career. He notes that Islamophobia was gaining momentum in the aftermath of the attacks, which made it an especially relevant topic for his humor. Moosa acknowledges that the social climate at the time heavily influenced what he chose to talk about on stage, as he felt the need to address the prejudices and tensions that were rising in society.

Moosa’s comment also highlights the role that relevance plays in his comedy. He recognizes that humor is not just about making people laugh, but also about commenting on societal issues that directly affect people’s lives. By tackling issues like Islamophobia, Moosa used his platform to engage in discussions about race, religion, and discrimination, offering both humor and critique on the state of the world.

The phrase "it informed a lot of my humor" suggests that Moosa’s material was not only influenced by external events but also shaped his approach to comedy. His jokes often drew on personal and cultural experiences as a way to shed light on the difficulties and misunderstandings faced by people of his background, while also engaging the audience in an important conversation.

Ultimately, Moosa’s quote reveals how global events and cultural tensions directly shaped his comedic voice, particularly in a time when Islamophobia was increasingly prevalent. His ability to incorporate such relevant issues into his humor speaks to the power of comedy as a tool for social commentary, allowing him to both entertain and provoke thought about the issues that mattered most during that period.