Pakistani-Canadian Writer Tarek Fatah Dies At 73

Pakistan-born Canadian columnist and television personality Tarek Fatah died on Monday, April 24 at the age of 73. The author, based in Canada, died after a long-drawn battle with cancer. His daughter Natasha Fatah confirmed the news of his death in a Twitter post.

Tarek Fatah was born on November 20, 1949, in Karachi, Pakistan. He migrated to Canada in the early 1980s and worked as a political activist, journalist, and television host. He also authored several books including, ‘Chasing a Mirage: The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State’ and ‘The Jew is Not My Enemy: Unveiling the Myths that Fuel Muslim Anti-Smitism.’

Fatah was known for his progressive views on religion and his fiery stance on Pakistan. He called himself an ‘Indian born in Pakistan’ and a ‘Punjabi born into Islam’.

Husain Haqqani wrote on his death: Saddened by the passing of Tarek Fatah, whom I first met in 1972. His death brings to an end half a century of rigorous debate, vehement disagreements, sharing of knowledge & ideas, and much laughter & friendship rare in an era when people do not know how combine these things.