A Jew, an Arab and an Afghan walk into a comedy club in Los Angeles …

The world-famous Laugh Factory might well be the funniest place in the world—at least for tonight, when the semi-finals of a “World’s Funniest Person” competition takes place. The event is an international Olympics-type contest, featuring comedians from all over the world. It’s not just a promotional opportunity for the Los Angeles comedy club, but a sincere attempt to experience multiculturalism through laughs. The competition is an expansion of a recent exhibition to have Israeli and Palestinian comedians share the stage, and possibly learn something—and that happened, after both sides started the show with an awkward stare down.

I think comedy is one of the most sincere ways of entertaining and educating people. I connect with you, you connect with me and we have a good time.

Nitin Mirani, comedian from United Arab Emirates

Online voters chose the best 10 comedians to perform Monday night at the Laugh Factory, and online for a worldwide audience. Five finalists will then compete in Las Vegas. Internet voting will then decide the winner, who will be announced Friday, United Nations Day.

[America] has an army. The bank has four cashiers and a cleaning lady.

Ishmo Leikola, comedian from Finland, on the solution to America’s national debt problem