We’ve all been waiting to see how Bassem Youssef would do as a host of the International Emmy’s awards, and it’s safe to say that he nailed it!

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It should be noted that Youssef is the first Arab/Muslim host for the international Emmy’s, and that’s what he started his speech with. “Welcome! I’m your host tonight. My name is Bassem Youssef, and I’m an Arab.”

Youssef then said that he wouldn’t be starting the night with an opening joke “to win the crowd over, or lose you all together… The world is still in a state of trauma.” So instead he honored the victims of the recent attacks in Paris, Beirut, Mali, Nigeria, Kenya and ended with saying “Sinai, Egypt, where I’m from.”

He stated that it’s brutal, horrible, and unfair, but that “when people get together to celebrate art and creativity and the best of what the human race can aspire to we find our capacity to heal and to grow.”

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Youssef also said that him being the host is a part of this healing, “The Academy chose me, an Arab Muslim, to be the host of this event months ago.” The crowd cheered after this, and Youssef went on to make a few jokes, and ended the speech with saying “When we laugh and do what we do here tonight, those evil bastards lose.”

Youssef could’ve gotten the chance to crack a few jokes and gain new international audience, but he instead took the opportunity to talk from the heart, and have respect for the victims of the recent attacks. He might not have had the most memorable funny opening speech, like what we all expected, but he sure did gain everyone’s respect.