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Entertainment

Breaking Norms: Mirza Zain Ahmad Marries Aima Baig

The intimate marriage of Pakistani singer Aima Baig to Zain Ahmad, founder of the fashion label Rastah, has sparked conversations about interfaith unions and Ahmadi identity in Pakistan, where the Ahmadiyya community faces systemic discrimination and societal restrictions. Zain Ahmad, born and raised in an Ahmadi household, tied the knot with Baig in an intimate Nikah ceremony in Canada. The announcement, accompanied by heartfelt photos and captions on Instagram, was met with widespread support from fans and celebrities alike. However, …

Mahershala Ali to star in season 2 of ‘Ramy’

Hulu has released first look images for Season 2 of Ramy, featuring Mahershala Ali. The series follows the life of a first-generation Muslim-American played by co-creator Ramy Youssef. While the two-time Oscar winner plays the role of Sheikh Ali who serves as a mentor to Ramy on his spiritual path. Speaking about the role, Youssef said: “I had this amazing hour-long phone call with [Ali] and he was so thoughtful about the show …. I couldn’t have done it with …

Mahershala Ali wins Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor

Ahmadi actor Mahershala Ali won a Golden Globe Sunday night for his role as the real-life pianist Doc Shirley in “Green Book”. Mahershala previously became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar for his role in the movie “Moonlight”. His wife Amatus Sami-Karim joined him for the award ceremony. Mahershala Ali’s wife wearing a green gown for his “Green Book” nomination is so cute Def going to be me as a spouse. Coordinating my lewks with bae’s accomplishments ???? …

Sami Odeh – The singer from Haifa making waves in the Arab world

Arab-Israeli singer Sami Odeh is quickly becoming a rising star in the Middle East. 24-year-old Sami who grew up in the small neighborhood of Kababir, Haifa has already caught the attention of millions with his music and covers of popular Arabic songs which he regularly posts on his Instagram. His recent song ‘Qet3a Minne‘ which was released in January has already amassed over a million views on YouTube and is gaining popularity on Anghami, the Arab equivalent of Spotify. This …

‘Himalayan Refugee’ documents plight of Pakistani Refugees in Nepal

A documentary on the experience of Pakistani refugees in Nepal will be featured at the Human Rights Film festival in Barcelona on November 18th. The film covers the plight of Ahmadi refugees from Pakistan who escaped persecution in the Islamic republic and sought refuge in the Himalayan city of Kathmandu. There are around 350 Ahmadi refugees in Nepal who have been granted refugee status by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). The emotional documentary provides an insight into …

Music bringing Migrants and Locals together in Finland

Two rap artists and a producer from Vaasa, Finland release the song “Dope Music” today.  The song “Dope Music” was born in Waltter Korkeamäki’s studio. He was bored one day and to cheer himself up, he sat by his computer and made a beat. – It was mostly a joke, but I sent it to Ali, he says. Ali Raza listened to the beat and became enthusiastic. He liked the beat so much that he immediately went to Korkeamäki’s studio. …

Ahmadi Artists You’ve Never Heard of

2017 has turned out to be a good year for Ahmadi artists, and the oscar win of Mahershala was the cherry on the top. But there are many others who are still trying to make waves in the media and entertainment industry. Remember, this is but a handful ― of the many, many, many other artists who deserve your attention. Dj – A A M R – Australia A A M R born as Ammar Ahmed is a Sydney-based DJ …

These Ahmadi students are changing how acting is perceived in their Community

When three Ahmadi students got a casting call for movie extras, they took it as a joke, They did not imagine that their extra role will help change how the acting profession is perceived within their own community. Medical students Humza Ahmed, Haris Ahmed and Harris Ahmed were originally asked to portray Taliban soldiers in the movie Horse Soldiers, but they refused because of their religious beliefs. The Ahmeds are of Pakistani heritage and were born into the revivalist Ahmadiyya Muslim …

Artist creates a Sci-Fi Vision of Pakistan

What will the future Pakistan look like? That’s what Pakistani artist Omar Gilani tried to depict in a series of futuristic digital illustrations. Gilani, who is 28 and a Mechanical Engineering by profession says he never received any formal training in arts. “I began digital manipulation and created some art pieces on a digital tablet at university,” In the past, Gilani has been commissioned as a designer by several International organizations which include Save The Children, United Nations, British Council …

En Karma team up with Delhi2Dublin vocalist for their latest Single

Canadian Bhangra band EN KARMA has teamed up with the multi-talented Sanjay Seran lead vocalist of Vancouver-based Delhi 2 Dublin to release their new single entitled ‘She Kills.’ Shot in Vancouver, the ‘She Kills’ video is based around the band’s core mantra of Friendship. In the video, the boys can be seen jamming out to Bhangra beats in a recording studio. She Kills continues En Karma’s musical fusion of Canadian World Music meets Bhangra. Their debut album En Karma reached …

Pakistani Diplomat accused of Religious Bias over Oscar Tweet

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi was accused of ‘Religious Bias’ after she deleted a congratulatory tweet about Oscar-winning Muslim actor Mahershala Ali. Ali won the award for best-supporting-actor for his role in the movie “Moonlight”. The 43-year-old who converted to Ahmadiyya sect of Islam in 2001 became the first ever Muslim actor ever to win an Oscar. However, his win did not go down well in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Pakistani Ambassador to the U.N. Maleeha Lodhi, …