Photo: Tarek Fateh/Twitter

 

Pakistani-Born Canadian Author Tarek Fatah Dies at 73

 

Tarek Fatah , a Pakistani-born Canadian columnist, journalist, and television personality, passed away on Monday at the age of 73.

Fatah, who was battling cancer, died in Canada, according to reports. His daughter, Natasha Fatah, confirmed his death on her Twitter handle.

Fatah was a well-known figure in the media industry, with a reputation for being a controversial and outspoken voice on a range of issues.

He was born in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1949 and moved to Canada in the early 1980s, where he worked as a political activist, journalist, and television host. He was also an author and penned several books throughout his career.

Fatah was the founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress and a regular columnist for one of the country’s largest newspapers. He was known for his liberal views and was considered a staunch critic of virtually everything related to Pakistan.

Fatah had a frequent broadcast presence and was a vocal advocate for the rights of the downtrodden, underdogs, and the oppressed.

Fatah's daughter, Natasha, paid tribute to her father on Twitter, describing him as the "Lion of Punjab" and the "Son of Hindustan." She said that Fatah's revolution would continue with all those who knew and loved him, and asked others to join them in carrying on his legacy. - The Express Tribune

Dawn adds: “Lion of Punjab. Son of Hindustan. Lover of Canada. Speaker of truth. Fighter for justice. Voice of the down-trodden, underdogs, and the oppressed. Tarek Fatah has passed the baton on… his revolution will continue with all who knew and loved him. Will you join us? 1949-2023,” Mr Fatah’s daughter Natasha, herself a journalist, shared the news on Twitter.

Born in Karachi, Pakistan before emigrating to Canada in 1987, Mr Fatah was an award-winning reporter, columnist, and radio and television commentator, both in Canada and abroad, with a huge social media following, according to  Toronto Sun.

Mr Fatah, who died at 73, was a political activist, a fierce defender of human rights and a staunch opponent of religious fanaticism in any form.

As a secular Muslim who authored books titled The Jew is Not My Enemy: Unveiling the Myths that Fuel Muslim Anti-Semitism, and Chasing a Mirage: The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State, Tarek was never deterred by controversy.