TAREK FATAH – A PAKISTAN-BORN CANADIAN AUTHOR PASSES AWAY AT 73
AN ACTIVIST AND AN AUTHOR – TAREK FATAH DIED AT THE AGE OF 73
If there is any face of a true liberal in the whole world, it is Tarek Fatah. On Monday the news of his death shook the world; the greatest critic who fought cancer for a really long time, finally took his last breath at the age of 73.
It was in 1949, on 20 November, Tarek Fatah was born in Pakistan’s Karachi. Rarek’s parents were Punjabi Muslims who had migrated to Karachi after the partition of the two countries.
Tarek whose biochemistry degree was completed at Karachi University had thoughts of getting into journalism. And that was when he took over the job as a reporter for the Karachi Sun in 1970; this was his first job and the start of his career. Following this, he became an investigative journalist for Pakistan Television.
Tarek, the journalist cum activist is the first man to criticize the Pakistani Army in 1970, when he was working for the Karachi Sun. it was his first time in the world of journalism but nothing stopped him from speaking the truth of him.
Tarek who was very interested in politics was once a member of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP), but Tarek was unfortunate in politics. The Biochemistry graduate always had an immense interest in politics but he knew the position of Pakistani politics and that was when he decided to go against the Pakistani military and politicians.
His strong notions of opposition to the Pakistani politicians had him in jail twice but that did not stop Tarek from sticking to his ideology. Tarek being a Muslim himself studied the Islamic beliefs to a great extent and found loopholes in them. And since then, Tarek strongly opposed and criticized the corrupted ideology of Islam.
He who was against the Islamic ideology and culture at times defended the Indian Hindu culture. Once in a sentence he also stated that he wants to be born in India as a Hindu and not as a Muslim.
To be precise, Tarek was against terrorism, and Islamic domination in Pakistan. He also fought for girls’ and women’s rights, Baloch independence, and Hijab protestors and went against many other things that violated basic human rights.
He supported the Baloch people and advocated for Baloch independence. He has questioned the state’s legitimacy and pushed for backing for Baloch separatists. He anticipates that the rest of the Pakistani nation will unite with India after Balochistan gains independence.
Although he was a Muslim, Tarek believed that his ancestors definitely had Hindu roots. Tarek often quoted that India is the only country that is safe for Muslims. And also, once said that the Ayodhya Ram Mandir should be built by the hands of Muslims.
Fatah was a firm activist, award-winning journalist, and fierce defender of human rights. Tarek is known to openly defend what he thinks is right and openly oppose what he thinks is wrong.
Tarek strongly supported human rights and anything that opposed those human rights were opposed by him.
The Pakistani-born author, in the early 1980s i.e., in 1987 migrated to Canada and became a Canadian author. Fatah is also the founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress and also the founder and host of the online TV show – the Muslim Chronicle. His ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood is what brings the desire in him.
Tarek also used to make frequent appearances on television and radio programs. The great author’s writings also appeared in countless newspapers and magazines. Tarek’s thoughts and ideology are prominently described in his books – “Chasing a Mirage: The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State”, “The Jew is Not My Enemy: Unveiling the Myths that Fuel Muslim Anti-Semitism”.
He was also an advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and has spoken out against discrimination and violence against LGBTQIA+ in multiple countries, including his native Pakistan. Tarek Fatah is an important voice in the struggle against Islamic extremism. The Canadian activist is also a regular columnist for the Toronto Sun and has appeared on numerous news programs on the CBC and CTV networks.
Fatah’s views on Islam have been controversial, and he has been accused of islamophobia by some Muslim groups. He also has been a vocal opponent of the introduction of Sharia law in Canada and has been critical of what he describes as the “intellectual stagnation” of the Muslim world.
He has also been a strong advocate for the rights of women, homosexuals, and minorities within the Islamic faith. Fatah is a vocal critic of Islamic radicalism and has been a vocal advocate for greater integration of Muslim immigrants into Canadian society.
His death brings sorrow and having seen the person in his best version it is still very hard to believe that he is gone. The deceased throughout his life only fought for people and was with people. Today he is no more with us but his ideology will stay with us and his mission, to have a world where no human rights are violated shall be fill filled.
The demise of the greatest journalist, activist, author, and public speaker has left people in a state of utmost sadness. His followers from all over the world showered goodbyes and paid him respect while his last rites were being held.
Mr. Tarek Fatah will be missed and will forever stay in the hearts of the people he fought for and stood with. May the pleasant soul rest in peace.
