Sam Touzani

After the November 2015 Paris attacks, which were prepared in the Brussels municipality of Molenbeek, Touzani kept performing in Brussels, despite the heightened fears of new terrorist attacks and amid militarised security forces on the streets. He stated it was important not to give in to fear, and that he would maintain his 'sharp critique of Islamists, nationalists and extremists.' His new show Les enfants de Dom Juan, co-written by Ben Hamidou, was his response to the attacks, in which he demands the Muslim community to critically reflect on their beliefs and behaviour, that motivated some of its members towards radicalisation and terrorism. It also sought to break the taboo on homosexuality and apostasy within the Muslim community. Parti Socialiste politician Philippe Moureaux (former burgomaster of Molenbeek 1993–2012) banned Touzani from performing in the municipality for 10 years, and the show was boycotted by the inhabitants and associations of Molenbeek.

Sam Touzani (1968) is a Belgian actor, television presenter, choreographer and stand-up comedian with Berber-Moroccan roots. Touzani is known as a critic of both Islamism, the far-right, and the politically correct left. He is an ex-Muslim and has received fatwa's and hundreds of death threats because of his public apostasy, especially from Muslims.

Touzani's parents came from the Rif in Morocco. They came to Belgium in 1964 during a migration wave. When Touzani was 8 years old, he and his parents took part in a demonstration against racism, which had a deep and lasting impact on him. He began to develop a strong interest in protest, political ideologies, forms of government and human rights. In this formative period, the Belgian-Moroccan dissident Mohammed el Baroudi had an important influence on the evolution of his ideas. He chose democracy and dialogue over violent resistance and authoritarianism.