interview

Baba Ali (real name Ali Ardekani) has become an Internet phenomenon. He is the co-founder of Ummah Films, and his series of videos on YouTube, 'The Reminder' and 'Ask Baba Ali', have been watched by hundreds of thousands of people.

Ummah Films seems to use entertainment to reach out to the masses who usually do not attend lectures or services at the mosques to learn about Islam. Baba Ali can now be seen on the Islam Channel and has been a guest at many Islamic conferences around the world.

The Revival caught up with him at a recent event for an exclusive interview...

So how did you get the idea for Ummah Films?

Mohammed Ali is an artist who combines urban graffiti and Islamic calligraphy. He is based in Birmingham but his work takes him all over the world. The Revival's Irfan Jalil spoke to him about his source of inspiration and the place of art in Islam.

How would you describe the work that you do?

It's about the fusion of graffiti art with Islamic art. Fusing these two elements together to create an urban spiritual art form.

How did you start out as an urban artist?

After the Jean Charles de Menezes shooting and the raids in Forest Gate relations between the Police and the Muslim community have been under the spotlight. Sajid Iqbal, Editor of The Revival, met up with Sergeant Yusuf Dar from the Greater Manchester Police who is the current Chair of the Greater Manchester Muslim Police Association, to discuss the crucial issues facing the Muslim community.

What would you say is the role of the Police? As the view of many people is that “They don’t do anything!”

The Revival has been asking young Muslims fro across the UK whether or not they have faith in the police:

Rabia Shah, 20. Stanmore (North West London)

By Irfan Khan and Mohammad Ayoub

Yvonne Ridley is probably the most popular revert to Islam, since her conversion back in 2001 after she was captured by the Taliban.

Since embracing Islam she hosts a talk show on Islam Channel and is very outspoken with her views on current issues and how Muslims should behave.

The Revival has met up with sister Yvonne to ask her a few questions.

Revival: Asalamalaykum (Peace be upon You)

Sister Yvonne Ridley: Wa allaykum Salam (Peace be upon you too)