In 2017, Mahershala Ali made history by being the first African American man to win an Oscar, on top of which he was the first Muslim to win an Academy award. Of course, Muslims were quick to dismiss the latter because of the dispute regarding Ahmadis and their status within Islam.
Early this morning, Mahershala bagged his second award making him the only Muslim man to win 2 Academy Awards.
The actor won for his performance in the movie “Green Book”. Americans are applauding the actor for his achievement because like last time, he’s the second African American man to win multiple Oscars.
#Ahmadiyya Muslim actor Mahershala Ali becomes first Muslim man to win multiple #Oscars pic.twitter.com/xtjMqzQjEn
— Rabwah Times (@RabwahTimes) February 25, 2019
People were overjoyed at his win.
Congratulations to my Ahmadi Muslim black king Mahershala Ali who won an Oscar twice in a row.
Mahershala was the first Muslim to win an oscar & now won his 2nd one but also became the 2nd black actor to have 2 Oscars 🏆👏🏽
I am so proud of you brother 😭💜#Oscars #Oscars2019 pic.twitter.com/iyyfQ3hL1B
— c 🐞 (@HoseokJiwoo) February 25, 2019
While also calling out other Muslims for not celebrating his win.
The last time he won his identity as an Ahmadi Muslim took center stage, at least in the Muslim world. A lot of Pakistani publications took back pieces and social media posts as the fact that he’s Ahmadi became known.
Did I already mention he is an Ahmadi Muslim? That's the reason why he isn't getting much hype from other Muslims because of his sect. But ain't nobody doing it like Mahershala Ali 😍 Black Ahmadi Muslim excellence ✊🏽🏆 You stay winning ❤👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/hxv9IuuCMs
— c 🐞 (@HoseokJiwoo) February 25, 2019
In 2017, Pakistan’s representative to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi tweeted to congratulate Mahershala but had to delete the tweet after people trolled her.
Pakistan's Ambassador to UN, Maleeha Lodhi first tweets then deletes the tweet just bcoz #MahershalaAli is an Ahmadi. pic.twitter.com/EwpxrQGiJN
— Ayesha Khan (@KhanAyesha23) February 27, 2017
Some are calling for her to recognize his second win.
@LodhiMaleeha Dr sahiba Mahershala Ali won his Oscar again, would u like to congratulate him as a Muslim?
— Asif (@asif166) February 25, 2019
Truly, the man has had to fight a lot of hate and backlash, which makes his win all the more important.
Congratulations to Mahershala Ali for his second #Oscars in 3 years.
African American (racism), Muslim (Islamophobia), Ahmadi Muslim (anti-Ahmadi prejudice/Takfir): The layers of hate he had to cross to make it to the top! Hats off! #Oscars2019 pic.twitter.com/nIe4IhFr7h
— Kashif N Chaudhry (@KashifMD) February 25, 2019
Whatever said and done, Mahershala Ali is a role model for many Muslims in the industry.
Dr. Salam is role model of those Ahmadis/Muslims who are interested in the field of science
and
Mahershala Ali is role model for those Ahmadis/Muslims who are interested in the field of acting.
Does it need rocket science to understand this simpl thing 🤔— Rumi (@R00mi1) February 25, 2019
Of course, some jokes were made on the matter.
Pakistanis are going to get tired of Ahmadis winning lol https://t.co/0q7Ug13vEX
— Ehsan Rehan (@Ehzan) February 25, 2019
And memes were made too.
Pakistanis watching #Oscars pic.twitter.com/hoOsQp7UJN
— Ehsan Rehan (@Ehzan) February 25, 2019
Not to mention, he looked absolutely FIRE at the Oscars.
Mahershala Ali is so fucking hot with those glasses & that beanie & he’s so smart, eloquent, talented and Muslim. Mashallah I can’t breathe
— চন্দ্র (@chondask) February 25, 2019
Now, this is a good place to segway into his ‘hat’. A lot of people, including me thought it was a beanie, but as I looked on further and did some digging, it turned out it wasn’t JUST a beanie.
Mahershala was wearing a Jinnah cap!
He carries it off SO well!
The Quaid would approve.
This is an issue that has gone on for far too long. An Oscar is an Oscar at the end of the day, regardless of who’s won it. It’s a huge achievement regardless of what your religious beliefs are, so what harm is congratulating or being happy for him doing to our faith?
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Cover Photo Courtesy: Getty Images and Beaumont Enterprise