Maliki Mardinalli

It's a respectful post, not calling anyone out, but they figure their fans will understand why it was cancelled, get pissed off and put pressure on the government.

But then one of the other comedians, Abu Aziz, goes rogue on his personal Instagram account.

He rants about the Secretariat for Political Affairs in Hama, says they accuse the troop of LGBTQ content and of being a threat to family values.

He blames them for cancelling Hama.

We're back to how we were before, he says.

Which sounds pretty mild, but he's comparing the new government to the old regime, which is dangerous.

Abu Aziz has nearly 300,000 followers.

Him posting online left some in the group nervous, but excited Maliki and Sharif.

The comments start right away.

Angry at the government.

Word gets back.

Someone from political affairs calls Abu Aziz.

Political affairs also contacts the sheikh.

The sheikh calls Maliki.

Maliki doesn't pick up.

So the sheikh follows with the text.

Some members of the group are worried by the strategy, wishing they had been consulted first.

But almost as quickly as they stir up the online shitstorm, Sharif gets a text from the Hammer venue owner.

No matter what, he won't let them use the venue.

It's not worth it to him.