The mock-Arabic language that Aladeen (Sacha Baron Cohen) and Nadal (Jason Mantzoukas) speak on the helicopter tour is actually Hebrew.
Sacha Baron Cohen wanted to shoot scenes in the United Nations building, but was denied access. Baron Cohen claims the official explanation given to him was "we represent a lot of dictators, and they are going to be very angry by this portrayal of them, so you can't shoot in there." When asked about Baron Cohen's claims, a spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon only responded by saying "Sacha Baron Cohen has a wonderful sense of humor."
Sacha Baron Cohen attended The 84th Annual Academy Awards (2012) in character and full costume as Aladeen, accompanied by his "virgin guards". While giving an interview on the red carpet to an unsuspecting Ryan Seacrest he brandished an urn he claimed to contain the remains of deceased North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il. Cohen then spilled the ashes all over Seacrest's tuxedo. As a result, Cohen was banned from entering the auditorium or participating in the events.
The always lifted point finger of Aladeen was inspired by Cuban leader Fidel Castro who frequently pointed in his speeches.
Aladeen has a cadre of all-female guards who purport to be virgins, as Libyan dictator Muammar Al Gaddafi did in real life.