Mario Moubarak apologizes and defends himself after backlash over joke about Jesus

Detained and then released on Friday by General Security following a controversy over a clip from one of his sketches containing a joke about Jesus, comedian Mario Moubarak posted a message on Instagram apologizing to anyone who may have been offended, while also defending himself. He argued that the joke that sparked the backlash had been taken out of context.

“To those who received a truncated excerpt of the video taken out of context, from people against whom I have no power — as well as to everyone who saw it and was offended, I offer my apologies,” the 32-year-old comedian wrote. “The one-minute portion currently circulating is part of a 20-minute segment that has been available on YouTube for six months. In stand-up, context is essential to understanding the idea. There was no intention to harm or blaspheme Christ. I am Christian, attended a Catholic school, and Christianity has always been an important part of my life. That is why I addressed it in my show, with no intention to hurt anyone’s feelings.” He also thanked those who had supported him.

The show, originally published in full on May 18 by the Awk.word Comedy Club, featured the comedian joking: “Jesus’s burial probably wasn’t successful, since in the end he got up.” A clip containing this line resurfaced in November, sparking social media controversy, particularly among conservative Christian circles ahead of Pope Francis’s visit to Lebanon from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.

A source close to Moubarak said the Christian group Les Soldats du Seigneur was the first to share the clip “for malicious reasons, making it appear as though Mario himself had just posted it.” The source added that the comedian has received “numerous death threats” after his phone number was circulated online.

Lebanese General Security questioned Moubarak upon his arrival at Beirut airport, later releasing him while confiscating his passport and phone, according to information obtained Friday night.