Displacement, immigration, and brotherhood: discussing ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ with Mahad Ali

SOAS alumnus Mahad Ali describes his journey from EastEnders to writing his first play.

Written by Mahad Ali, ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ is a moving story exploring two refugee brothers’ search for a safe haven in the UK. The play explores powerful themes of sacrifice, learning, religion and sexuality.

Having written for some of Britain's most famous and best-loved BBC soaps, from the likes of EastEnders and Casualty to Holby City, Mahad Ali’s first play tells the story of two Nigerian brothers who migrate to the UK in search of a better life. Ali describes the play as a story of 'love and pain' as he explores the challenges faced by the two brothers in overcoming feelings of displacement and hostility towards them by the community in a small British seaside town. 

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SOAS alumnus

Mahad Ali is a SOAS alumnus and was part of the BBC Writers’ Academy in 2021. I interviewed Mahad about his debut play, his experience studying at SOAS, and how he managed to navigate a pathway from graduation to employment in the creative industries.

I first asked Mahad why he chose to write about such a sensitive topic as immigration. He described his own mixed Nigerian and Somali heritage, and discussed his dad's journey migrating from Somalia to the UK. Immigration is a topic which he clearly considers to be close to home, and one that he wanted to explore further, since so many families in the UK are grappling with similar emotional problems to the ones he describes in his play.

A passion for writing

As we began to get deeper into conversation, Mahad began to open up about where his passion for writing stemmed from. He described himself as a young boy who had always loved the spoken word and poetry, and how in secondary school he got the chance to visit a theatre to watch a live performance on a school trip. He remembered feeling “captivated” by the play and, from that day, his love for writing was ignited.

Fast forward several years, and he was accepted by SOAS to study Law; a career path very different from the one he thought he was destined for. However, he still described his time at SOAS as “enjoyable”. Mahad emphasised his belief that, with both time and persistence, most young people will discover the path that works best for them.

BBC Writers’ Academy

Curious as to how he had found himself at the BBC Writers’ Academy, I asked Mahad about his journey from graduate into the world of work. He described the process as similar to most jobs you apply for: he went through the application process; was interviewed; and, due to his obvious talent, was taken up to work in the Writers’ Academy, writing for a range of well-known soap operas in the UK drama industry.

Thinking differently

Nearing the end of our conversation, I asked Mahad: “what do you most love about SOAS, and what does SOAS mean to you?” He replied by answering: “SOAS is a multicultural institution, which teaches you to think differently from a range of different perspectives.” Studying at SOAS had enabled him to “meet people from all different walks of life” and, as an education, was “very well rounded.”

Mahad Ali can be seen as a model for many students who study at SOAS. He encouraged students to work hard in order to achieve their passions. This gives me great hope in thinking of future alumni. I wonder who will be the next star to rise from SOAS...?

Header Image Credit: Ali Wright