This biography is from the Ummah films officiel site: http://www.ummahfilms.com/learnmore.html

Ummah Films is a Muslim film company that strives to provide Halaal (Islamically permissable) entertainment to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. We are not affliated with any particular movement, sect, group, etc. We absolutely condemn in the strongest terms terrorism and any extremism done in the name of Islam and we refuse to associate ourselves with those who practice and condone such behavior and thoughts.

One of the things that has set Ummah Films apart from other other Islamic and Muslim-based entertainment is the approach of using entertainment to reach out to the masses who usually do not attend lectures or services at the mosques to learn about Islam. Coupled with entertainment, Ummah Films believed that it was possible to reach out to the English-speaking world and educate them on Muslims and Islam. The sense of urgency of educating people about Islam especially after 9/11 and the backlash against Muslims and Islam was one of the main driving factors for Ummah Films.
"If our films achieve anything then all praise is all due to Allah, only the mistakes are ours."

About Ummah Films
Ali's innovative idea for Ummah Films was spawned by the tragic events of September 11. Immediately following the terrorist strike, Muslims worldwide condemned the attacks as both evil and contrary to the true teachings of Islam. Ali, and co-founder Mahdi Ahmad, felt it was imperative that Ummah Films do its part to educate the public, but decided on a alternative approach that, while edgy, maintains the proper amount of respectability that upholds the fundamental tenants of Islam.

"It's unfortunate that the religion of Islam was associated with 9-11 since Islam completely condemns any form of terrorism and extremism," said Ali, creator of the hit board game Mecca to Medina. "It has been estimated that five to eight million Muslims live in the United States. If Islam taught terrorism, you would see Muslims all over the local news committing acts of violence. Instead, the reality is the exact opposite because Islam is a religion peace, not terrorism."

First Completed Project: The Reminder Series
Humor is a powerful emotion, and using it is indeed an art form. That's exactly what the year's most promising start-up film company -- Ummah Films -- has accomplished, taking a lighthearted approach toward Muslim-based entertainment.

Taking the Internet by storm, Ummah Films' first video blog series, "The Reminder," has been a major success with millions page of video views in less than two months. Season One of "The Reminder," which can be found at www.ummahfilms.com or youtube.com has been praised as creative, witty and thought-provoking, sending a powerful message that reaches all races and religions.

"My goal with 'The Reminder' was to dispel the misconceptions among not only non-Muslims, but with Muslims as well," said Baba Ali, co-founder of Ummah Films and the writer-producer of the series. " 'The Reminder' combines comedy with a serious subject matter in a way that reaches out to the hearts and minds of people who need to know the truth about Islam."

In the same style as Comedy Central's John Stewart or HBO's Bill Maher, Ali cuts through the muck of grandstanding and politicizing issues by simply telling it like it is. But instead of mocking Muslims or Islam, Ummah Films uses a comical approach that hits the mark with almost every viewer, without using any offensive material.

The sharp-witted videos remain Islamically permissible while taking a realistic look at the everyday issues Muslims are confronted with, including being a Muslim teen in America, Muslim weddings, being Muslim while flying, and one of the most popular episodes, Culture vs. Islam.

"In my opinion, Islam is the most misunderstood religion around," said Ali. "Not just by non-Muslims, but by Muslims as well. Although many Muslims are born into a Muslim family, often times they are not taught Islam properly and that, of course, can lead to problems. I hope my movie shorts can play at least some part in
restoring Islam's credibility so people can focus on its positive message."

Dawud (David) Wharnsby Ali (born June 27, 1972) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, performer, educator and television personality. He is best known for his pioneering efforts in the musical/poetic genre of English Language nasheed. Dawud Wharnsby is also lyricist, vocalist and guitarist of the folk music duo Dawud & Idris, alongside composer Idris Phillips.
his album:
* Out Seeing The Fields
* The Poets And The Prophet
* Vacuous Waxing
* Love Strong
* The Prophet's Hands
* Sunshine, Dust And The Messenger
* The Letter - Songs Of Struggle And Hope
* The Road To Madinah
* The Colours Of Islam
* A Whisper of Peace
* Blue Walls And The Big Sky

Shaykh Mishary Rashid Ghareeb Mohammed Rashid Al-Afasy is a Kuwaiti national and was born in 1976. He is married , has two daughters, and he is also nicknamed (Abu Norah).

He studies at The Islamic University in Medina(KSA), College of the Holy Quran and Islamic Studies and specialized in The ten readings and translation of the holy quran. He has read the quran to Sheikh Ahmed Abdulaziz Al-Zaiat born in 1325(H) in the year 1907. Read the whole quran to him Hafs-from-A'sim from Al-Shatebeya, and Sheikh Abraham Ali Shahata Al-Samanodei born in 1333(H)in the year 1915 and who read to him Sheikh Al-Hosiery and Sheikh Mohammad Sadiq Al-Menshawy and Sheikh Mustafa Ishmael and Sheikh Abdulbaset Abduls mad, and he reads to him Fatehat al Kitab and he accepted it, an oral acceptance following the acceptance of his student Sheikh Abulrafea Redwan, and he also read to Sheikh Abdurarea Radwan born in 1351(H)in the year 1932 read to him the whole quran Asm-bin-abialnojoud from Al-Shatebya.


from: www.muslimtents.com

Zain was born in 1974 in Pretoria, South Africa where he started singing from a young age, though entertaining family and friends was as far as he went. In 1994, Zain entered a singing competition on a local radio station. From thousands of entries, he won the competition. This success led to his first album, 'A Way of Life' (1994)

It soon became a rousing success amongst the South African Muslim community. Thus came 'Praise to the Prophet (saw)' (1996), followed at yearly intervals by 'Fortunate is he' (1997) and 'The Journey' (1998).

All proved extremely popular and began to filter abroad. And so it was that Yusuf came across one of Zain's albums and invited him to London to work with him. The result was 'A is for Allah' (2000), a double album, primarily spoken word, which featured Zain singing 7 of the 8 songs. Later that year, two compilation albums 'Children of Heaven' and 'Towards the Light' (both 2000), featuring re-mixed songs, were released by Jamal Records.

It was while promoting these compilations in Turkey that he was introduced to and recorded with Hasan Kiliçatan. In 2001 he released 'Faith' with a guest appearance from his friend Dawud Wharnsby-Ali. Zain is married with 2 children.

Zain has travelled extensively in 2002-03 singing his songs to audiences around the World.

Native Deen consists of three young Muslim men who were born and raised in America. Joshua Salaam, Naeem Muhammad, and Abdul-Malik Ahmad who grew up in Washington, DC. Their music seeks to inspire young people to keep their faith amid the pressures and temptations of modern life.

"Deen" in Arabic means religion or way of life. The group identifies themselves as Muslim, and wear traditional Islamic dress such as kufis and shalwar kameez. Of course, they say there is more than one way to identify as a Muslim, both by etiquette and dress. Their music is hip-hop style, with lyrics on Islam and several of their songs focus on living as a Muslim in America amidst pressures and temptations. All of their music is positive, tolerant, and generally upbeat. As Native Deen, they perform at Islamic conferences, fundraisers, weddings, and holiday gatherings (usually in Ramadan and Eid-ul-Adha). They are relatively well known among the North American Muslim youth, and have toured internationally.

Many Muslims believe that string and wind instruments should be avoided in Islam. In order to please the widest audience, the group does not use any string or wind instruments in their music. The main instruments are drums, synthesized percussion instruments, and vocals. Some of their more popular songs and raps include "Intentions" and "Paradise

Native Deen came about through M.Y.N.A. or Muslim Youth of North America. The project was a gathering of amateur recording artists who've written their own work and MYNA featured these artists on the MYNA RAPs' album. Three of the artists from these albums, Joshua Salaam, Abdul Mailk Ahmad, and Naeem Muhammad, who were all solo, started a group where they could do this professionally, and the result was Native Deen. Their music is produced under the Mountain of Light label, which was founded by Yusuf Islam (previously known as Cat Stevens).

Native Deen websites:
-www.nativedeen.com
-www.myspace.com/nativedeenlive