​2017 Oscars: Mahershala Ali makes history as first Muslim to win an Academy Award

Mahershala Ali has a lot to celebrate this week.

On top of welcoming a daughter with wife, Amatus Sami-Karim, on Sunday, Ali became the first ever Muslim actor to win an Academy Award. He won for his role in the film "Moonlight."

During his emotional acceptance speech, Ali took a moment to thank his "wonderful teachers and professors" and shared some advice he learned from them.

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"It's not about you, it's about these characters," he said. "You are a servant. You're in service to these stories and these characters."

Ali also thanked Sami-Karim, who stood by his side during her third trimester of pregnancy with daughter Bari Najma Ali throughout all of award season.

"I just want to thank her for being a soldier through it all and carrying me through this process," he said.

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