Baba Ali
| Baba Ali | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ali Ardekani |
| Born |
October 11, 1974 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 |
Ali Ardekani (Persian: علی اردکانی; born October 11, 1974), best known by his stage name Baba Ali (Persian: باب علی), is an Iranian-born American comedian, games developer, businessman and actor.
Early life
Although born into a Persian family, Ardekani was raised in a secular irreligious household in Los Angeles, California.[1] From the age of 18,[2] he studied many religions. At the age of 20, Ardekani converted to Islam.[3]
Career
A worker in the IT field by profession in California, Ardekani (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.[4] In 2006,[5] Ardekani 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.[6]
Ardekani 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[7] and MuslimFest.[8]
Ardekani 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. In 2010, he designed Kalimaat, a game about common knowledge and memory.[8]
In 2010, Ardekani founded Muslim matrimonial website, Half Our Deen.
Ardekani 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.[9]
In 2016, he starred alongside Omar Regan in the film American Sharia.[10][11][12]
Comedy style
In the same style as Comedy Central's Jon Stewart or HBO's Bill Maher, Ardekani 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.[9]
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.[9]
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
In 2001, Ardekani got married.[13] He lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife and two children. His studio is the second bedroom of the apartment.[1]
See also
References
- 1 2 MacFarquhar, Neil (May 8, 2008). "Young Video Makers Try to Alter Islam's Face". The New York Times. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
- ↑ "Why Baba Ali accepted ISLAM?". The Deen Show. June 11, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Indonesian - How did you convert to Islam (sesion 1 finale)". ufsubtitles. July 26, 2007. Retrieved November 28, 2008.
- ↑ "Bab Ali". The Deen Show. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Baba Ali In The New York Times". Thought of a Hijabi. May 8, 2008. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
- ↑ Kaitlin (September 30, 2008). "Videoblogger Ali Ardekani, a.k.a. Baba Ali". Inside Islam. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Performers". Global Peace & Unity Event. October 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2011. Baba Ali
- 1 2 "Interview: Ali Ardekani (Baba Ali)". Productive Muslim. March 25, 2010. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Baba Ali". The Muslim Funnymentalists. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
- ↑ Hijazi, Samer (July 3, 2014). "'Halalywood' comes to metro Detroit with film production of "American Sharia"". The Arab American News. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- ↑ ""AMERICAN SHARIA" by Omar Regan — Kickstarter". Kick Starter. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ↑ Hadzic, Aldin (January 11, 2014). "American Sharia & Halalywood (Trailer)". Taqwa Magazine. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Interview with Productive Muslim: Baba Ali". Productive Muslim. December 5, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
External links
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