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{{Short description|Iranian-born American film developer}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{For|places in Iran|Baba Ali, Iran (disambiguation){{!}}Baba Ali, Iran}}
{{For|places in Iran|Baba Ali, Iran (disambiguation){{!}}Baba Ali, Iran}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}

{{Infobox comedian
{{Infobox comedian
| name = Baba Ali
| name = Baba Ali
| image =
| image =
| native_name = {{nq|علی اردکانی}}
| native_name_lang = fa
| image_size = 220
| image_size = 220
| caption =
| caption =
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|10|11|mf=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|10|11|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Tehran]], Iran
| birth_place = [[Tehran]], Iran
| death_date =
| medium = [[Video blog]], stand-up
| death_place =
| medium = [[Video blog]], Stand-up
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| active = 2006–present
| active = 2006–present
| genre = [[Observational comedy]],<br/>[[Satire|Social satire]], [[Naseeha]]
| genre = {{Flatlist|
* [[Observational comedy]]
* [[Satire|Social satire]]
* [[Naseeha]]}}
| subject = [[Islamic humour]], Culture, Marriage,<br/>[[Islam in the United States]],<br/>[[Interpersonal relationship|Human interaction]]
| subject = {{Flatlist|
* [[Islamic humour]]
* culture
* marriage
* [[Islam in the United States]]
* [[Interpersonal relationship|human interaction]]}}
| influenced =
| influenced =
⚫
| spouse =
| domesticpartner =
| notable_work =
| notable_work =
| signature =
| signature =
| website = {{URL|www.alistandup.com/}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.babaali.com}}
| module = {{Infobox YouTube personality|embed=yes
⚫
| footnotes =
| module =
| logo =
⚫
| logo_caption =
⚫
| pseudonym =
| channel_name = ummahfilms
| years_active = 2006–present
| genre = {{Flatlist|
* [[Vlog]]s
* comedy
* commentary}}
| subscribers = 78.6 thousand
| views = 22&nbsp;million
| network =
| associated_acts =
| catchphrase(s) =
| silver_button =
| silver_year =
| gold_button =
| gold_year =
| stats_update = 14 January 2024
}}
}}
}}


'''Ali Ardekani''' ({{lang-fa|علی اردکانی}}; born October 11, 1974), best known by his stage name '''Baba Ali''' ({{lang-fa|بابا علی}}), is an Iranian-born American comedian, [[Game design|games developer]], businessman and actor.
'''Ali Ardekani''' ({{langx|fa|علی اردکانی}}; born October 11, 1974), best known by his stage name '''Baba Ali''' ({{langx|fa|بابا علی}}), is an Iranian-born American comedian, [[Game design|games developer]], businessman, and actor.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Although born into a [[Persian people|Persian]] family, Ardekani was raised in a secular [[irreligious]] household in Los Angeles, California.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |last=MacFarquhar|first=Neil|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/us/08video.html?_r=1&oref=slogin/|title=Young Video Makers Try to Alter Islam's Face|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 8, 2008|accessdate=July 14, 2008}}</ref> From the age of 18,<ref name="The Deen Show">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbDeEvMgQ1k|title=Why Baba Ali accepted ISLAM?|publisher=The Deen Show|date=June 11, 2009|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref> he studied many religions, including [[Wicca]]. At the age of 20, Ardekani [[converted to Islam]] after attending an Islamic camp. He belonged to a wealthy family who did not accept it when he converted and subsequently disinherited him.<ref name="ufsubtitles">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXj2h4w5XNs|title=Indonesian – How did you convert to Islam (sesion 1 finale)|publisher=ufsubtitles|date=July 26, 2007|accessdate=November 28, 2008}}</ref>
Although born into a [[Persian people|Persian]] family from [[Ardakan County|Ardakan]], Ardekani was raised in a secular [[irreligious]] household in [[Los Angeles]].<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |last=MacFarquhar|first=Neil|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/us/08video.html?_r=1&oref=slogin/|title=Young Video Makers Try to Alter Islam's Face|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 8, 2008|accessdate=July 14, 2008}}</ref> From the age of 18<ref name="The Deen Show">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbDeEvMgQ1k |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/cbDeEvMgQ1k |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Why Baba Ali accepted ISLAM?|publisher=The Deen Show|date=June 11, 2009|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> he studied many religions including [[wicca]]. At the age of 20, Ardekani [[converted to Islam]] after attending an Islamic camp.
He belonged to a wealthy family who did not accept his conversion to Islam, and subsequently disinherited him.<ref name="ufsubtitles">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXj2h4w5XNs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/WXj2h4w5XNs |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Indonesian – How did you convert to Islam (sesion 1 finale)|publisher=ufsubtitles|date=July 26, 2007|accessdate=November 28, 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


==Career==
==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.<ref name="thedeenshow">{{cite web|url=http://thedeenshow.com/user/14/Baba-Ali |title=Bab Ali |publisher=The Deen Show |accessdate=February 1, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124151929/http://thedeenshow.com/user/14/Baba-Ali |archivedate=January 24, 2013 }}</ref> In 2006,<ref name="byanymeansnecessary">{{cite news |url=http://www.byanymeansnecessary.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/baba-ali-in-the-new-york-times/|title=Baba Ali in the New York Times|publisher=Thought of a Hijabi|date=May 8, 2008|accessdate=September 1, 2013}}</ref> Ardekani rose to prominence within the online [[Ummah|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''.<ref name="insideislam">{{cite news |author=Kaitlin|url=http://www.insideislam.wisc.edu/2008/09/videoblogger-ali-ardekani-aka-baba-ali/|title=Videoblogger Ali Ardekani, a.k.a. Baba Ali|publisher=Inside Islam|date=September 30, 2008|accessdate=September 1, 2013}}</ref>
Ardekani worked in the IT field in [[California]] He and Mahdi Ahmad founded Ummah Films, a [[Muslim]] film company which provides [[Halal]] (Islamically permissible) entertainment to Muslims and non-Muslims.<ref name="thedeenshow">{{cite web|url=http://thedeenshow.com/user/14/Baba-Ali |title=Bab Ali |publisher=The Deen Show |accessdate=February 1, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124151929/http://thedeenshow.com/user/14/Baba-Ali |archivedate=January 24, 2013 }}</ref> In 2006,<ref name="byanymeansnecessary">{{cite news |url=http://www.byanymeansnecessary.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/baba-ali-in-the-new-york-times/|title=Baba Ali in the New York Times|publisher=Thought of a Hijabi|date=May 8, 2008|accessdate=September 1, 2013}}</ref> Ardekani rose to prominence within the online [[Ummah|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''.<ref name="insideislam">{{cite news |author=Kaitlin|url=http://www.insideislam.wisc.edu/2008/09/videoblogger-ali-ardekani-aka-baba-ali/|title=Videoblogger Ali Ardekani, a.k.a. Baba Ali|publisher=Inside Islam|date=September 30, 2008|accessdate=September 1, 2013}}</ref>


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|Global Peace and Unity Event]]<ref name="GPU08">{{cite web|url=http://www.theglobalunity.com/08/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=248|title=Performers|publisher=Global Peace & Unity Event|date=October 2008|accessdate=August 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914112119/http://www.theglobalunity.com/08/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=248|archive-date=September 14, 2010|url-status=dead}} Baba Ali</ref> and [[MuslimFest]].<ref name="productmuslim">{{cite news|url=http://www.productmuslim.com/opinion/interview-ali-aderkani-baba-ali/|title=Interview: Ali Ardekani (Baba Ali)|publisher=Productive Muslim|date=March 25, 2010|accessdate=September 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202114407/http://www.productmuslim.com/opinion/interview-ali-aderkani-baba-ali/|archive-date=February 2, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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|Global Peace and Unity Event]]<ref name="GPU08">{{cite web|url=http://www.theglobalunity.com/08/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=248|title=Performers|publisher=Global Peace & Unity Event|date=October 2008|accessdate=August 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914112119/http://www.theglobalunity.com/08/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=248|archive-date=September 14, 2010|url-status=dead}} Baba Ali</ref> and [[MuslimFest]].<ref name="productmuslim">{{cite news|url=http://www.productmuslim.com/opinion/interview-ali-aderkani-baba-ali/|title=Interview: Ali Ardekani (Baba Ali)|publisher=Productive Muslim|date=March 25, 2010|accessdate=September 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202114407/http://www.productmuslim.com/opinion/interview-ali-aderkani-baba-ali/|archive-date=February 2, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>


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.<ref name="productivemuslim">{{cite news |url=http://www.productivemuslim.com/interview-with-productive-muslim-baba-ali/#|title=Interview with Productive Muslim: Baba Ali|publisher=Productive Muslim|date=December 5, 2010|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref> In 2010, he designed ''Kalimaat'', a game about common knowledge and memory.<ref name="productmuslim" />
Ardekani has also designed two board games. In 2005, 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.<ref name="productivemuslim">{{cite news |url=http://www.productivemuslim.com/interview-with-productive-muslim-baba-ali/#|title=Interview with Productive Muslim: Baba Ali|publisher=Productive Muslim|date=December 5, 2010|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref> In 2010, he designed ''Kalimaat'', a word game in the same genre as Taboo, about common knowledge and memory.<ref name="productmuslim" />


In 2011, Ardekani founded Muslim matrimonial website, Half Our Deen.<ref name="muslimness">{{cite news |author=Zahra|url=http://www.muslimness.com/2011/10/interviewing-half-our-deen-founder-baba.html|title=Interviewing Half Our Deen Founder Baba Ali, Why A Muslim Marriage Site?|publisher=Muslimness|date=October 28, 2011|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="muslimmatters">{{cite news |last=Ali|first=Baba|url=http://muslimmatters.org/2011/01/19/why-halfourdeen-com-by-baba-ali/|title=Why “HalfOurDeen.com†by Baba Ali|publisher=MuslimMatters.org|date=January 19, 2011|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="patheos">{{cite news |url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/mmw/2011/11/whos-behind-online-dating-and-why-does-it-matter/|title=Who's Behind Online Dating, and Why Does it Matter?|publisher=Patheos|date=November 30, 2011|accessdate=April 1, 2013}}</ref>
In 2011, Ardekani founded the Muslim matrimonial website Half Our Deen.<ref name="muslimness">{{cite news |author=Zahra|url=http://www.muslimness.com/2011/10/interviewing-half-our-deen-founder-baba.html|title=Interviewing Half Our Deen Founder Baba Ali, Why A Muslim Marriage Site?|publisher=Muslimness|date=October 28, 2011|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="muslimmatters">{{cite news |last=Ali|first=Baba|url=http://muslimmatters.org/2011/01/19/why-halfourdeen-com-by-baba-ali/|title=Why "HalfOurDeen.com" by Baba Ali|publisher=MuslimMatters.org|date=January 19, 2011|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="patheos">{{cite news |url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/mmw/2011/11/whos-behind-online-dating-and-why-does-it-matter/|title=Who's Behind Online Dating, and Why Does it Matter?|publisher=Patheos|date=November 30, 2011|accessdate=April 1, 2013}}</ref>


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''.<ref name="funnymentalists">{{cite web |url=http://www.funnymentalists.com/comics_babaali.html|title=Baba Ali|publisher=The Muslim Funnymentalists|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}</ref>
Ardekani has traveled the world doing stand-up to a wide range of Muslim and non-Muslim audiences. He has performed over 400 events across the world including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada for audiences as large as 40,000. His work 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''.<ref name="funnymentalists">{{cite web|url=http://www.funnymentalists.com/comics_babaali.html|title=Baba Ali|publisher=The Muslim Funnymentalists|accessdate=February 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414053251/http://www.funnymentalists.com/comics_babaali.html|archive-date=April 14, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>


In 2015, he starred alongside [[Omar Regan]] in the film ''[[American Sharia]]''.<ref name="arabamericannews">{{cite news|last=Hijazi|first=Samer|url=http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/news/id_9027/Halalywood-comes-to-metro-Detroit-with-film-production-of-%22American-Sharia%22.html|title='Halalywood' comes to metro Detroit with film production of "American Sharia"|newspaper=[[The Arab American News]]|date=July 3, 2014|accessdate=February 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201021714/http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/news/id_9027/Halalywood-comes-to-metro-Detroit-with-film-production-of-%22American-Sharia%22.html|archive-date=2015-02-01|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="kickstarter">{{cite web |url=http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/americansharia/american-sharia|title="AMERICAN SHARIA" by Omar Regan – Kickstarter|publisher=Kick Starter|accessdate=February 1, 2014}}</ref><ref name="taqwamagazine">{{cite news|last=Hadzic|first=Aldin|url=http://www.taqwamagazine.com/american-sharia-halalywood-trailer/|title=American Sharia & Halalywood (Trailer)|work=Taqwa Magazine|date=January 11, 2014|accessdate=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201082754/http://taqwamagazine.com/american-sharia-halalywood-trailer/|archive-date=February 1, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2015, he starred alongside [[Omar Regan]] in the comedy film ''[[American Sharia]]''.<ref name="arabamericannews">{{cite news|last=Hijazi|first=Samer|url=http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/news/id_9027/Halalywood-comes-to-metro-Detroit-with-film-production-of-%22American-Sharia%22.html|title='Halalywood' comes to metro Detroit with film production of "American Sharia"|newspaper=[[The Arab American News]]|date=July 3, 2014|accessdate=February 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201021714/http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/news/id_9027/Halalywood-comes-to-metro-Detroit-with-film-production-of-%22American-Sharia%22.html|archive-date=February 1, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="kickstarter">{{cite web |url=http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/americansharia/american-sharia|title="AMERICAN SHARIA" by Omar Regan – Kickstarter|publisher=Kick Starter|accessdate=February 1, 2014}}</ref><ref name="taqwamagazine">{{cite news|last=Hadzic|first=Aldin|url=http://www.taqwamagazine.com/american-sharia-halalywood-trailer/|title=American Sharia & Halalywood (Trailer)|work=Taqwa Magazine|date=January 11, 2014|accessdate=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201082754/http://taqwamagazine.com/american-sharia-halalywood-trailer/|archive-date=February 1, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Comedy style==
==Comedy style==
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==Videography==
==Videography==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%;"
|-
|- bgcolor="#B0C4DE" align="center"
! Year
! Year
! Title
! Title
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==Personal life==
==Personal life==
In 2001, Ardekani got married.<ref name="productivemuslim"/> He lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife and two children. His studio is the second bedroom of the apartment.<ref name="nytimes"/>
In 2001, Ardekani was married.<ref name="productivemuslim"/> He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children. His studio is the second bedroom of the apartment.<ref name="nytimes"/>


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{col-begin}}
{{div col|colwidth=35em}}
⚫
*{{Official website|http://www.babaali.com}}
{{col-3}}
⚫
*{{Official website|http://www.alistandup.com/index.html}}
*{{Twitter}}
*{{YouTube|user=ummahfilms|Baba Ali}}
*{{YouTube|user=ummahfilms|Baba Ali}}
*[http://ummahfilms.blogspot.com/ Ummah Films]
*[http://ummahfilms.blogspot.com/ Ummah Films]
*[https://twitter.com/ummahfilms Ummah Films] on Twitter
*[https://twitter.com/ummahfilms Ummah Films] on Twitter
{{col-3}}
*[http://www.hurrayforbabaali.com/ Hurray For Baba Ali website]
*[http://www.hurrayforbabaali.com/ Hurray For Baba Ali website]
*[http://www.babaaligames.com/ Kalimaat website]
*[http://www.babaaligames.com/ Kalimaat website]
*[http://www.halfourdeen.com/ Half Our Deen website]
*[http://www.halfourdeen.com/ Half Our Deen website]
*[http://www.miloproductionsinc.com/ Milo Productions Inc. website]
*[http://www.miloproductionsinc.com/ Milo Productions Inc. website]
*[http://www.funnymentalists.com/ The Muslim Funnymentalists website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20190530151856/http://funnymentalists.com/ The Muslim Funnymentalists website]
*Tareq. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140202114407/http://www.productmuslim.com/opinion/interview-ali-aderkani-baba-ali/ Interview: Ali Ardekani (Baba Ali)]. ''Product Muslims''. March 25, 2010
*Tareq. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140202114407/http://www.productmuslim.com/opinion/interview-ali-aderkani-baba-ali/ Interview: Ali Ardekani (Baba Ali)]. ''Product Muslims''. March 25, 2010
*Hossain, Raakin. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130720061337/http://salaamcal.com/archives/interview-baba-ali-ali-ardekani/ Interview: Baba Ali / Ali Ardekani]. ''SalaamCal''. October 23, 2012
*Hossain, Raakin. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130720061337/http://salaamcal.com/archives/interview-baba-ali-ali-ardekani/ Interview: Baba Ali / Ali Ardekani]. ''SalaamCal''. October 23, 2012
{{col-end}}
{{div col end}}


{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Ali, Baba}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ali, Baba}}

[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Iranian Muslims]]
[[Category:Muslims from California]]
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[[Category:American Muslims]]
[[Category:Iranian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Iranian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:American people of Iranian descent]]
[[Category:Converts to Islam]]
[[Category:Converts to Islam]]
[[Category:American YouTubers]]
[[Category:YouTubers from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Iranian stand-up comedians]]
[[Category:Iranian stand-up comedians]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
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[[Category:Muslim male comedians]]
[[Category:Muslim male comedians]]
[[Category:American media executives]]
[[Category:American media executives]]
[[Category:Video bloggers]]
[[Category:American video bloggers]]
[[Category:Iranian people in the video game industry]]
[[Category:Iranian people in the video game industry]]
[[Category:American game designers]]
[[Category:American game designers]]
[[Category:Board game designers]]
[[Category:Board game designers]]
[[Category:American music managers]]
[[Category:American music managers]]
[[Category:Iranian businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century Iranian businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century Iranian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Iranian male actors]]
[[Category:Iranian male film actors]]
[[Category:Iranian male film actors]]
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[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from California]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from California]]
[[Category:Comedians from California]]
[[Category:Comedians from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Male actors from Tehran]]
[[Category:Male actors from Tehran]]
[[Category:Male actors from the Greater Los Angeles Area]]
[[Category:Male actors from Greater Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Male actors from Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:People from Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles]]
⚫
[[Category:People from Tehran]]
[[Category:21st-century American comedians]]
[[Category:21st-century American comedians]]
[[Category:Male bloggers]]
[[Category:American male bloggers]]
[[Category:Male YouTubers]]
[[Category:American bloggers]]
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[[Category:YouTube vloggers]]
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[[Category:Comedy YouTubers]]
[[Category:Commentary YouTubers]]

Latest revision as of 23:20, 7 November 2024

For places in Iran, see Baba Ali, Iran.

Baba Ali
Birth nameAli Ardekani
Native nameعلی اردکانی
Born (1974-10-11) October 11, 1974 (age 50)
Tehran, Iran
MediumVideo blog, stand-up
NationalityAmerican
Years active2006–present
Genres
Subject(s)
Websitewww.babaali.com
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2006–present
Genres
Subscribers78.6 thousand[1]
Total views22 million[1]
Last updated: 14 January 2024

Ali Ardekani (Persian: علی اردکانی; born October 11, 1974), best known by his stage name Baba Ali (Persian: بابا علی), is an Iranian-born American comedian, games developer, businessman, and actor.

Early life

[edit]

Although born into a Persian family from Ardakan, Ardekani was raised in a secular irreligious household in Los Angeles.[2] From the age of 18[3] he studied many religions including wicca. At the age of 20, Ardekani converted to Islam after attending an Islamic camp.

He belonged to a wealthy family who did not accept his conversion to Islam, and subsequently disinherited him.[4]

Career

[edit]

Ardekani worked in the IT field in California He and Mahdi Ahmad founded Ummah Films, a Muslim film company which provides Halal (Islamically permissible) entertainment to Muslims and non-Muslims.[5] In 2006,[6] 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.[7]

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[8] and MuslimFest.[9]

Ardekani has also designed two board games. In 2005, 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.[10] In 2010, he designed Kalimaat, a word game in the same genre as Taboo, about common knowledge and memory.[9]

In 2011, Ardekani founded the Muslim matrimonial website Half Our Deen.[11][12][13]

Ardekani has traveled the world doing stand-up to a wide range of Muslim and non-Muslim audiences. He has performed over 400 events across the world including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada for audiences as large as 40,000. His work 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.[14]

In 2015, he starred alongside Omar Regan in the comedy film American Sharia.[15][16][17]

Comedy style

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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.[14]

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.[14]

Videography

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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

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In 2001, Ardekani was married.[10] He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children. His studio is the second bedroom of the apartment.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "About ummahfilms". YouTube.
  2. ^ a b MacFarquhar, Neil (May 8, 2008). "Young Video Makers Try to Alter Islam's Face". The New York Times. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  3. ^ "Why Baba Ali accepted ISLAM?". The Deen Show. June 11, 2009. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  4. ^ "Indonesian – How did you convert to Islam (sesion 1 finale)". ufsubtitles. July 26, 2007. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2008.
  5. ^ "Bab Ali". The Deen Show. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  6. ^ "Baba Ali in the New York Times". Thought of a Hijabi. May 8, 2008. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  7. ^ Kaitlin (September 30, 2008). "Videoblogger Ali Ardekani, a.k.a. Baba Ali". Inside Islam. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  8. ^ "Performers". Global Peace & Unity Event. October 2008. Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved August 29, 2011. Baba Ali
  9. ^ a b "Interview: Ali Ardekani (Baba Ali)". Productive Muslim. March 25, 2010. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  10. ^ a b "Interview with Productive Muslim: Baba Ali". Productive Muslim. December 5, 2010. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  11. ^ Zahra (October 28, 2011). "Interviewing Half Our Deen Founder Baba Ali, Why A Muslim Marriage Site?". Muslimness. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  12. ^ Ali, Baba (January 19, 2011). "Why "HalfOurDeen.com" by Baba Ali". MuslimMatters.org. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  13. ^ "Who's Behind Online Dating, and Why Does it Matter?". Patheos. November 30, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  14. ^ a b c "Baba Ali". The Muslim Funnymentalists. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  15. ^ Hijazi, Samer (July 3, 2014). "'Halalywood' comes to metro Detroit with film production of "American Sharia"". The Arab American News. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  16. ^ ""AMERICAN SHARIA" by Omar Regan – Kickstarter". Kick Starter. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  17. ^ Hadzic, Aldin (January 11, 2014). "American Sharia & Halalywood (Trailer)". Taqwa Magazine. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
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