Moeen Ali Quotes

I did notice growing up that there are so many things, obstacles and things, that people think you can't do because you're Muslim or because you're wearing a hijab. You hear a lot of no's. That was something that I wanted to see change.

I think the whole stigma of 'black movies' is slowly being lost. When you look at movies like '12 Years A Slave,' to 'The Butler,' to 'The Best Man,' to 'Ride Along,' to even 'Think Like a Man' from last year - these movies are just good movies.

I'm not going to allow this world to make my son scared of saying he's a Muslim.

I give a speech to the black freshmen at Harvard each year, and I say, 'You can like Mozart and ice hockey...' - and then I used to say 'golf,' but Tiger took over golf! - 'and Picasso and still be as black as the ace of spades.'

It is time Australian Muslims stop being treated as negotiable citizens in their own country. It is time people stop 'tolerating' us, presuming some right to decide if we have a place in our own home.

I really don't want to portray the Islamists as simply evil, the way it's often done in the west.

I suppose that the media and their portrayal of Islam and the almost tribal separations and divisions of the Muslims are the greatest issues confronting Muslims in the United Kingdom.

When women say that going on publications directed at men is somehow demeaning, I don't think that's true. I think that's one really effective way to change the societal standard women are held to.

I use every opportunity, whether on my radio show or on television, to break stereotypes.

As Latinas, we tend to be overly partial considering stereotypes. I'm interested in being naughty and edgy.

Part of what Special Olympics is trying to do is break down stereotypes that still exist for people. There is still a lot of fear.

I just want to continue to break barriers and to show the industry and the world that beauty is diverse, and you don't have to be a certain stereotype to be beautiful.

I am concerned if 25 percent of Americans think that President Obama is a Muslim. I mean, it's obviously a lack of knowledge. But also, it's for the Muslims as well, you know, because a small numbers of Muslims have really painted a very negative image of Islam.

People think a Muslim has to have a turban or a big beard. It's stupid.

In order to change the conversation about Muslims in American media, we need a diverse, unified movement of people who are willing to take a stand against anti-Muslim bias.

To suggest that a Muslim cannot think for himself sounds to me very much like an incident of anti-Muslim bigotry.

I think lot of Muslims have gotten fatigued by the way Muslim characters, even 'positive' ones, are portrayed in the media.

It's patently impossible for a Muslim character to represent 'all Muslims.'

Is it possible to have a grown-up debate about the failings of Islam, Christianity and Judaism? And how do you offer criticisms of Islam in particular without appearing - however unintentionally - to back up some very nasty stereotypes and prejudices?

There was the 'Cosby Show' in America in the 1980s, which was a doctor in a beautiful Brownstone middle-class house. We just haven't created a role like that in the U.K.; it's always gangs and crime. We need to be brave.

I don't think being a Muslim or being a non-Muslim has been an advantage or disadvantage.

I have a great deal of respect for any women that will enter the world of little boys of sports.

When I started running for Congress, it actually took me by surprise that so many people were fascinated with me being the first Muslim in Congress.

I have never, ever, received any taunts or any form of anti-Semitism. And I suppose being a Jewish football player with the Atlanta Falcons was no different than being a Baptist football player with the Atlanta Falcons. But in the back of your mind, you always expect something to happen.

Islamist groups have gained influence at local and national level by playing the politics of identity and demanding for Muslims the 'right to be different.'