--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's a funny thing that's happening…" description: "\"It's a funny thing that's happening online. The Middle Easterners want 'Aladdin' to be a Middle Eastern story, and the Indians want 'Aladdin' to be an ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c8/mena-massoud-9728_aladdin_it-s-a-funny-thing-that-s-happening-onli_826690.jpg" --- # It's a funny thing that's happening online. The Middle… ![“It's a funny thing that's happening online. The Middle Easterners want 'Aladdin' to be a Middle Eastern story, and the Indians want 'Aladdin' to be an Indian story. The truth is, it's really a folk tale from the 1800s, and Agrabah is a fictional place that's a culmination of India and Asia and the…” quote by Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c8/mena-massoud-9728_aladdin_it-s-a-funny-thing-that-s-happening-onli_826690.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c8/mena-massoud-9728_aladdin_it-s-a-funny-thing-that-s-happening-onli_826690.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c8/mena-massoud-9728_aladdin_it-s-a-funny-thing-that-s-happening-onli_826690.jpg) > “It's a funny thing that's happening online. The Middle Easterners want 'Aladdin' to be a Middle Eastern story, and the Indians want 'Aladdin' to be an Indian story. The truth is, it's really a folk tale from the 1800s, and Agrabah is a fictional place that's a culmination of India and Asia and the Middle East.” [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote highlights how modern audiences claim cultural ownership of a story that originally blends many regions, revealing tensions over representation. **In simple terms:** People argue over who a story belongs to, despite its mixed origins. Key Takeaway Recognize shared cultural roots and avoid narrow claims. Themes culture representation identity media heritage Mood reflective critical inquisitive Type analytical commentary When to use this quote - film criticism - social media debates - educational curricula - community discussions Key Concepts cultural appropriation globalization storytelling Questions to Reflect On - How does cultural ownership affect storytelling? - What responsibilities do creators have in representing blended histories? A Different Perspective Claims can oversimplify complex histories, ignoring original diversity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aladdin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aladdin/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Middle east](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-east/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [The Indian story has never been written. Maybe I am the man to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zane-grey/the-indian-story-has-never-been-written-maybe-i-am-the-man-to-do-it/) [Zane Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zane-grey/) > [There is an Indian story -- at least I heard it as an Indian story -- about an Englishman who, having been told that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifford-geertz/there-is-an-indian-story-at-least-i-heard-it-as-an-indian-story-about/) [Clifford Geertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifford-geertz/) > [I want people to know that it's not always dandelions and roses when you're doing something like 'Aladdin.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/i-want-people-to-know-that-it-s-not-always-dandelions-and-roses-when/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [I try to support all the women in my life. So absolutely, Aladdin tries to do that as well, and rightfully - rightfully so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/i-try-to-support-all-the-women-in-my-life-so-absolutely-aladdin-tries/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [My exercise regime for the film was really intense. I'd work out with a trainer six days a week, and then I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/my-exercise-regime-for-the-film-was-really-intense-i-d-work-out-with/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [Even though I'm very fortunate and grateful to have played Aladdin, there were still four, five casting directors who never gave me a shot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/even-though-i-m-very-fortunate-and-grateful-to-have-played-aladdin/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [Aladdin' was one of the few things that I watched as a kid where I was like, 'Oh, that guy looks like me and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/aladdin-was-one-of-the-few-things-that-i-watched-as-a-kid-where-i-was/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [I think the first time I watched 'Aladdin' was when I was still in Egypt, because I was born in Cairo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/i-think-the-first-time-i-watched-aladdin-was-when-i-was-still-in/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [Aladdin is a good soul. He is very selfless and usually does things for other people, but as he falls in love, he loses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/aladdin-is-a-good-soul-he-is-very-selfless-and-usually-does-things/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [We've got to celebrate all diverse artists and actors and 'Aladdin' does that really well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/we-ve-got-to-celebrate-all-diverse-artists-and-actors-and-aladdin/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [In fact, in the original folk tale, Aladdin was actually of Chinese descent. So what we wanted to do with this was represent as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/in-fact-in-the-original-folk-tale-aladdin-was-actually-of-chinese/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [My parents knew about the story of Aladdin far before the animation film. It's a folk tale that is very prevalent in Egypt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/my-parents-knew-about-the-story-of-aladdin-far-before-the-animation/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [I remember the first time I saw a Broadway show and how excited I was. That really fuels me and for some, it's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-jacobs/i-remember-the-first-time-i-saw-a-broadway-show-and-how-excited-i-was/) [Adam Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-jacobs/) > [Ready money is Aladdin's lamp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/ready-money-is-aladdin-s-lamp/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [“So, Royal Princess- excuse me, Sultana Jasmine- coming to admire your soon-to-be kingdom?" he said with a smile. "Yes, I want to make some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-braswell/so-royal-princess-excuse-me-sultana-jasmine-coming-to-admire-your/) [Liz Braswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-braswell/) ## More by Mena Massoud > [Art is very subjective and having to put numbers on it seems counterintuitive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/art-is-very-subjective-and-having-to-put-numbers-on-it-seems/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [I'm pretty good at going incognito.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/i-m-pretty-good-at-going-incognito/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [I think Middle Eastern hair is very resilient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/i-think-middle-eastern-hair-is-very-resilient/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [There's always a wild card or two when you're casting. I'm usually the wild card. In a room of Caucasian guys, a director might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/there-s-always-a-wild-card-or-two-when-you-re-casting-i-m-usually-the/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [When we uplift artists who reflect diverse perspectives their stories not only tell us how people view others, but how they view themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/when-we-uplift-artists-who-reflect-diverse-perspectives-their-stories/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [I'm trying to be a voice for the North African Arab community. We've got to continue to fight for our place in the industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/i-m-trying-to-be-a-voice-for-the-north-african-arab-community-we-ve/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [I put in my time, I worked hard and I followed my dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/i-put-in-my-time-i-worked-hard-and-i-followed-my-dreams/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [I went through it in high school. It's like, 'Who am I? Am I good enough? Is my background good enough? I know I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/i-went-through-it-in-high-school-it-s-like-who-am-i-am-i-good-enough/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [There is such a peace out in the middle of the desert. There's nothing like it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/there-is-such-a-peace-out-in-the-middle-of-the-desert-there-s-nothing/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [My first professional gig was on a show called 'Nikita,' and I played Al Qaeda No. 2. At that time I had to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/my-first-professional-gig-was-on-a-show-called-nikita-and-i-played-al/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [My parents knew about the story of Aladdin far before the animation film. It's a folk tale that is very prevalent in Egypt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/my-parents-knew-about-the-story-of-aladdin-far-before-the-animation/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [We don't tell Canadian stories enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/we-don-t-tell-canadian-stories-enough/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [I grew up in Canada and I was 10 years old when 9/11 happened. And I think that really changed the landscape for Arabs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/i-grew-up-in-canada-and-i-was-10-years-old-when-9-11-happened-and-i/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [I went to schools that had a significantly large Caucasian population and I feel very fortunate because I was able to compare that perspective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/i-went-to-schools-that-had-a-significantly-large-caucasian-population/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [Ryerson helped me because I was around acting all the time. It was pretty much all I thought about, even if I didn't really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/ryerson-helped-me-because-i-was-around-acting-all-the-time-it-was/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) [Explore all 70 Mena Massoud quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) ## More Aladdin quotes > [“So, Royal Princess- excuse me, Sultana Jasmine- coming to admire your soon-to-be kingdom?" he said with a smile. "Yes, I want to make some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-braswell/so-royal-princess-excuse-me-sultana-jasmine-coming-to-admire-your/) [Liz Braswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-braswell/) > [Ready money is Aladdin's lamp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/ready-money-is-aladdin-s-lamp/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [I remember the first time I saw a Broadway show and how excited I was. That really fuels me and for some, it's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-jacobs/i-remember-the-first-time-i-saw-a-broadway-show-and-how-excited-i-was/) [Adam Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-jacobs/) > [I am not Jasmine, I'm Aladdin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/i-am-not-jasmine-i-m-aladdin/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) > [I fancy cartoons; don't even get me started on 'Aladdin.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-atack/i-fancy-cartoons-don-t-even-get-me-started-on-aladdin/) [Emily Atack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-atack/) > [We would liken music to Aladdin's lamp — worthless in itself, not so for the spirits which obey its call. We love it for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/letitia-elizabeth-landon/we-would-liken-music-to-aladdin-s-lamp-worthless-in-itself-not-so-for/) [Letitia Elizabeth Landon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letitia-elizabeth-landon/) > [I remember seeing Aladdin when I was five or six and loving it. I looked at the big screen and said to my mum,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/i-remember-seeing-aladdin-when-i-was-five-or-six-and-loving-it-i/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [My parents knew about the story of Aladdin far before the animation film. It's a folk tale that is very prevalent in Egypt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mena-massoud/my-parents-knew-about-the-story-of-aladdin-far-before-the-animation/) [Mena Massoud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mena-massoud/) > [“The stable boy whose charge is this horse will receive fifty lashes for losing him," the old man said, cackling in delight as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-braswell/the-stable-boy-whose-charge-is-this-horse-will-receive-fifty-lashes/) [Liz Braswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-braswell/) > [Genie, I wish for you to make me a prince! -Aladdin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aladdin/genie-i-wish-for-you-to-make-me-a-prince-aladdin/) [Aladdin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aladdin/) > [“You think I'm pretty?" she asked, eyes wide. Aladdin paused with his mouth hanging open, unsure what to say. "Ha! I'm kidding, of course…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-braswell/you-think-i-m-pretty-she-asked-eyes-wide-aladdin-paused-with-his/) [Liz Braswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-braswell/) > [“And as you see, poor Idris was...persuaded,shall we say? Yes,persuaded to tell me about Tyre and his own route back to Al-Kal'as from there.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-tunnell/and-as-you-see-poor-idris-was-persuaded-shall-we-say-yes-persuaded-to/) Michael O. Tunnell > [“He makes a face and tosses the flower at me. It lands on my cheek, and I pick it up and twirl it between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-khoury/he-makes-a-face-and-tosses-the-flower-at-me-it-lands-on-my-cheek-and/) [Jessica Khoury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-khoury/) > [You have to realize that when I started to work on 'Aladdin', Disney Theatrical wasn't in existence. I suppose I had always hoped that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-freeman/you-have-to-realize-that-when-i-started-to-work-on-aladdin-disney/) [Jonathan Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-freeman/) > [Above average, f-fly like Im Aladdin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyga/above-average-f-fly-like-im-aladdin/) [Tyga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyga/) [Browse all 66 Aladdin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aladdin/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's a funny thing that's happening online. The Middle Easterners want 'Aladdin' to be a Middle Eastern story, and the Indians want 'Aladdin' to be an Indian story. 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