Celebrating Global Storytelling
Launched as part of Muslim Pro’s 16th anniversary celebrations, Stories of the Beloved ran from 19 July to 31 August 2025 , inviting Muslims worldwide to create short films inspired by their love for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The competition received heartfelt submissions from across the globe and was judged by an esteemed panel of filmmakers and digital storytellers from the United States, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, and beyond.
The Short Film jury featured award-winning directors Abrar Hussain (One Day in the Haram), Salman Aristo (Laskar Pelangi), and Jawad Mir (In Search of My Sister). The UGC Shorts category was evaluated by leading digital creators including Fikri ZamRi, a travel filmmaker with over 50 million YouTube views; Aisha Rizqy, an Indonesian content creator; and Haris Akbar, co-founder of Denmark’s youth-led daʿwah platform, Halal Hygge. Their diverse backgrounds ensured that each winning entry was recognised not only for its faith-driven message but also for its artistic quality, cultural authenticity, and emotional resonance.
Together, the jury selected three outstanding winners in the Short Film category and three in the UGC Shorts category, celebrating both professional craftsmanship and authentic user-generated storytelling. In addition to the main winners, three consolation prizes were awarded to commend notable entries that demonstrated strong creative potential. The public also had a voice in the celebration through a Viewer’s Choice Award, voted by global users via the Muslim Pro app, highlighting the story that resonated most deeply with the global community.
The Winners
Short Film Category
- First Prize: UN(Hated) Father by Mochamad Ramdhan (Indonesia) – A moving drama about reconciliation between a son and his father, grounded in the Prophet’s ﷺ example of kindness and fairness.
“Living in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, I know how deeply Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) inspires daily life. Yet there’s often a clash between following his example and facing modern demands. That’s how I portray Ahmad’s father—seen as old-fashioned and overly religious, but in truth a loving man. Like the Prophet, he shows kindness even when misunderstood. This story aims to speak to Muslims who still question the Prophet’s relevance today.” – Mochamad Ramdhan - Second Prize: Cleanliness is Half of Faith by Afaan Sheikh (Pakistan) – An animated short introducing “Captain Cleanliness,” a superhero teaching children about waste management, inspired by the Prophet’s ﷺ hadith.
“Our faith teaches us that actions must speak louder than words. In Pakistan, I notice many of us take cleanliness seriously within our homes but neglect the spaces we share, our streets, our rivers, our communities. Yet Islam is clear: cleanliness is part of our way of life, from the moment we prepare for prayer to the way we honor the dead through ghusl. If purity wasn’t essential, Allah would not have commanded us to uphold it so consistently. That’s why it was so important for me to tell this story as a Muslim.” – Afaan Sheikh - Third Prize: The Path of Resilience by Nurul Othman (Singapore) – A contemplative short film following an individual who rediscovers peace during an Umrah journey. Drawing inspiration from the Prophet’s ﷺ perseverance, the protagonist returns home renewed, carrying lessons of patience and strength into daily life.
“My hope for the future is to see a greater diversity of authentic Muslim voices being shared—stories that reflect the beauty, growth, and everyday realities of our lives. I believe there’s so much power in representation, and when we share our journeys, even the imperfect parts, we create space for others to feel seen, understood, and inspired. After all, we are all here to learn from each other!” – Nurul Othman
UGC Shorts Category
- First Prize: Packing Tutorial by Hayunda Lail Zahara (Indonesia) – A thoughtful reflection for travellers, reminding that what we carry on our journeys should ultimately guide us to Jannah, inspired by the teachings of Rasulullah ﷺ.
“I see the digital world as a field to reap rewards from Allah SWT. A shortcut to learning Islam, as simple as hijab tutorials that are shared for free. The bad behaviour and harsh words become so popular right now need to combat with all kind good example which assosiate with Islamic principle.” – Hayunda Lail Zahara - Second Prize: The One Allah Loved by Ahmed Ahmed (United States) – A deeply personal reflection on spiritual transformation through the Prophet’s ﷺ example.
“If there’s one thing I want people to take away, it’s that following the Prophet ﷺ is the path to real success with Allah. It’s not about restrictions; it’s about living in a way that brings you closer to Allah. If someone can feel even a spark of that after watching, then I’m happy.” – Ahmed Ahmed - Third Prize: You Live On Through Us by Muhammad Hakim Bin Roslee (Singapore) – A short film portraying how the Sunnah continues to shape everyday life, showing that the Prophet’s ﷺ footsteps still guide the world today.
“Being part of Stories by Muslim Pro is a huge achievement for me, especially since this is my first ever global video competition. This recognition motivates me to keep pushing my creative boundaries and to continue producing videos that are not only visually stunning but also carry meaningful and positive messages. I hope this milestone will be the start of many more impactful projects in the future.” – Muhammad Hakim Bin Roslee
Viewer’s Choice Award
The Light That Guides My Life by Fatimah Yusuf Dodo (Nigeria) – A personal reflection on how the Prophet’s ﷺ patience, kindness and example continue to shape daily life with purpose and compassion.
Consolation Prizes
Three additional creators were recognised for unique storytelling: Mahmood AL Ghussein (Germany), Muhammad Fitri Ihsan Bin Mohamad Hamzah (Singapore) and Surya Utama Kertarajas (Indonesia).
A Message from Muslim Pro
As the competition concluded, Muslim Pro reflected on the impact of its first global storytelling initiative. The strong participation and creativity demonstrated by entrants underscored the importance of giving Muslim voices a platform to share authentic narratives.
“When Muslims tell their own stories, the world listens differently. Stories by Muslim Pro is a movement to reclaim our narratives,” said Nafees Khundker, Group Managing Director and CEO of Muslim Pro. “We are heartened by the overwhelming response to this inaugural contest. It gives us the confidence that we are on the right path in opening up our platform to support Muslim creatives, offering them a space where their voices and visions can reach audiences worldwide.”
All winning entries are now available to stream exclusively on Qalbox, Muslim Pro’s video platform. Watch here: https://tinyurl.com/ofthebeloved.
Stories by Muslim Pro: of The Beloved is proudly supported by Gobi Partners.
For more information about Stories by Muslim Pro: of The Beloved, please contact: press@bitsmedia.com