I couldnt believe it.
One of those people happened to be two-time Oscar winnerMahershala Ali,who converted to Islam in 2000.
Ali vividly remembers scrolling through Instagram and an ad forRamycatching his attention.
Credit: Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu
“I messaged it to my wife, just like, ‘Oh, interesting Muslim content!’
Much of that can be pegged to Ali’s affection for Youssef and the culture he’s built.
“I’ve never been on a set that was that diverse ever,” he continues.
Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu
“Ramy works in such a free way, and he’s just alive and in his instincts.
His desire is for everyone to be fulfilled and at peace.
The way in which he has his hands in all things was awe-inspiring.
Just a really fantastic and phenomenal talent.”
“I couldnt have done it with anyone who wasnt of the composure of him,” he says.
Its really rare.”
Hes a character Ramy goes to for answers, says Ali.
But hes challenged by Ramy in ways that no one else could.
For Youssef, it was a priority to create a religious leader who felt like a real human.
I have a responsibility to do what I know to the best of my ability, he says.
“We need to tell stories specific to the Muslim experience.
I think Ramys contribution is really powerful and important.”
A version of this story appears in the June 2020 issue ofEntertainment Weekly, which you canbuy here now.
