Source: BBC
Mahershala Ali has made history as the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar, for his portrayal of a drug dealer in the coming-of-age drama Moonlight.
It was also the first time that Ali, who converted to Islam 17 years ago, had been nominated for an Oscar.
In an emotional speech, the actor thanked his “wonderful” teachers and his wife, who had given birth to their daughter just days earlier.
Moonlight also picked up the award for best picture.
“I’m so blessed to have had an opportunity. It was such a wonderful experience,” Ali said, as he thanked the film’s director Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney, the writer of the play that Moonlight was based on.
Categories: America, Muslims, The Muslim Times, USA