Hawzah News Agency (California, USA)- Mahershala Ali won the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his portrayal of a drug dealer in Moonlight on Sunday, becoming the first Muslim to be awarded a golden statuette for acting.

Ali, a first time nominee, played a Miami drug dealer who mentors a young boy who is being teased and bullied in the heartbreaking coming of age tale.

The 43-year-old actor paid tribute to his teachers and Moonlight director Barry Jenkins in his acceptance speech and glowed on stage as he thanked his wife, who gave birth to their daughter four days earlier.

End.