Baba Ali

Baba Ali
Birth name Ali Ardekani
Born October 29, 1975
Tehran, Iran
Medium Video blog, Stand-up
Nationality American
Years active 2006–present
Genres Observational comedy,
Social satire, Naseeha
Subject(s) Islamic humour, Culture, Marriage,
Islam in the United States,
Human interaction
Influences Bill Cosby
Website www.alistandup.com

Baba Ali (Persian: بابا علی‎; born Ali Ardekani; October 29. 1975) is an Iranian-born American comedian, games developer, businessman and actor.

Career

A worker in the IT field by profession in California, Ali (along with Mahdi Ahmad) co-founded Ummah Films, a Muslim film company which attempts to provide Halal (Islamically permissible) entertainment to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.[1] In 2006,[2] Ali rose to prominence within the online Muslim community with Ummah Films, which discusses various Islamic topics using humor. The company has produced several web series, including The Reminder Series and Ask Baba Ali.[3]

Ali has appeared on the Islam Channel and he has become a frequent guest at various Muslim conferences and events including the ICNA-MAS convention, Evening of Inspiration, the Global Peace and Unity Event[4] and MuslimFest.[5]

In 2000, he founded rap group, Soldiers of Allah, who received notable success their album 1924 earned. In 2003, the group disbanded.[6]

Ali has also designed two board games. In 2006, he designed Mecca to Medina, a board game about trading and negotiating with an Islamic-theme that can be played by all religions. Seven people invested $18,000 and made a 24% profit.[7] In 2010, he designed Kalimaat, a game about common knowledge and memory.[5]

In 2011, Ali founded Muslim matrimonial website, Half Our Deen.[8][9][10]

Ali has traveled the world doing stand-up to a wide range of Muslim and non-Muslim audiences. He has traveled to over 30 cities and has performed all over the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, performing for audiences as large as 37,000 and for all ages including youth as young as nine. He has been reviewed in The New York Times, USA Today and Los Angeles Times as well as featuring in seven episodes of DirecTV's The Fizz News.[11]

In 2015, he starred alongside Omar Regan in the film American Sharia.[12][13][14]

Comedy style

In the same style as Comedy Central's Jon Stewart or HBO's Bill Maher, Ali avoids grandstanding and politicizing issues by simply telling it like it is. However, instead of mocking Islam, he uses a comical approach, without using any offensive material.

His sharp-witted style takes a realistic look at the everyday issues Muslims are confronted with, including being a Muslim teen in America, attending Muslim weddings, and dealing with cultural issues that have impacted Muslims.[11]

Videography

Year Title Season Episodes
2006 The Reminder Series Season 1 Funny Things At Jummah, Finding Your Future Spouse Online, $25,000 Muslim Weddings, Muslim While Flying, Muslim Characters At Work, Distractions During Salat, Seasonal Muslims, Culture Vs Islam, Who Hijacked My Religion, How I Converted To Islam
2006–2007 Season 2 That's Not Hijab, Ramadan Reruns, Arrogant People, Fisibilillah Discount, The Parent Negotiations, Pursuit of Cleanliness, The Haram Police, Why Islam
2008 Season 3 - Ask Baba Ali My Brother's Girlfriend, Worrying & Ageing Sister, Little Backbiter!, Randomly Checked, Escaping the Holiday Party, Racism and Pride, We're Just Friends, The Art of Complaining
2011 Hurray For Baba Ali Season 1 How To Put on Your Shoes, Use Your Time Wisely: Play Sports, Kindness to Animals, Sharing, What to Wear on Jummah, Duah before Eating, Eating with Right Hand, Use Your Time Wisely: Read a Book, Being Kind to Your Parents, Always Tell the Truth, Kindness to Plants, Brushing Your Teeth, Are You Ready for Bed?

Personal life

Although born into a Persian family, he was raised in a secular irreligious household in Los Angeles, California.[15] From the age of 18,[16] he studied many religions, including Wicca. At the age of 20, Ali converted to Islam after attending an Islamic camp. He belonged to a wealthy family in Iran who did not accept it when he converted and subsequently disinherited him.[16]

In 2001, Ali got married.[7] He lives in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California with his wife and two children. His studio is the second bedroom of the apartment.[15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bab Ali". The Deen Show. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Baba Ali In The New York Times". Thought of a Hijabi. May 8, 2008. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Videoblogger Ali Ardekani, a.k.a. Baba Ali". Inside Islam. September 30, 2008. Retrieved September 1, 2013. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  4. ↑ "Performers". Global Peace & Unity Event. October 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2011. Baba Ali
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Interview: Ali Ardekani (Baba Ali)". Productive Muslim. March 25, 2010. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  6. ↑ "About The Soldiers Of Allah". Islamic Music. June 11, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Interview with Productive Muslim: Baba Ali". Productive Muslim. December 5, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Interviewing Half Our Deen Founder Baba Ali, Why A Muslim Marriage Site?". Muslimness. October 28, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2013. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  9. ↑ Ali, Baba (January 19, 2011). "Why “HalfOurDeen.com” by Baba Ali". MuslimMatters.org. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Who’s Behind Online Dating, and Why Does it Matter?". Patheos. 30 November 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Baba Ali". The Muslim Funnymentalists. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  12. ↑ Hijazi, Samer (July 3, 2014). "'Halalywood' comes to metro Detroit with film production of "American Sharia"". The Arab American News. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  13. ↑ ""AMERICAN SHARIA" by Omar Regan — Kickstarter". Kick Starter. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  14. ↑ Hadzic, Aldin (January 11, 2014). "American Sharia & Halalywood (Trailer)". Taqwa Magazine. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 MacFarquhar, Neil (May 8, 2008). "Young Video Makers Try to Alter Islam’s Face". The New York Times. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Why Baba Ali accepted ISLAM?". The Deen Show. June 11, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2013.

External links