| Baba Ali | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ali Ardekani |
| Born | 1975 (age 48–49) Iran |
| Medium | Stand-up, Video blog |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Genres | Observational comedy, Social satire, Naseeha |
| Subject(s) | Islamic humour, Culture, Marriage |
| Website | www |
Baba Ali (Persian: بابا علی; born Ali Ardekani in 1975) is an Iranian-born American comedian and games developer.
A worker in the IT field by profession in California. Ali (along with Mahdi Ahmad) co-founded of Ummah Films, a Muslim film company, which attempts to provide Halal (Islamically permissable) entertainment to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.[1] Ali quickly 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.”
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 and the Global Peace and Unity Event.[2]
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.[3] In 2010, he designed Kalimaat, a game about common knowledge and memory.
In 2011, Ali founded Muslim matrimonial website, Half Our Deen.[4][5]
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.”[6]
He is currently writing the screenplay for a full length film.
In the same style as Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart or HBO’s Bill Maher, Ali cuts through the muck of grandstanding and politicizing issues by simply telling it like it is. But instead of mocking Islam, he uses a comical approach that hits the mark with almost every viewer, without using any offensive material.
The 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.[6]
Although born into a Muslim family in Iran, he was raised in a secular irreligious household in Los Angeles, California.[7] From the age of 18,[8] 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.[8]
In 2001, Ali got married.[3] He resides in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California with his wife and two children. His studio is the second bedroom of the apartment.[7]
| Year | Title | Series | 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?” |