Obituary: Remembering Raza Ali

2 min read

In loving memory of Raza Ali, one of Kitaab’s cherished writers and friends.

We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Raza Ali, one of Kitaab’s cherished writers and friends, on August 28, 2025.

Raza’s life spanned many worlds—born and grew up in what was then East Pakistan, living through the changes in Bangladesh, and later settling in Canada. His writing reflected this journey: full of history, reflection, and a profound love for stories and people.

With roots in Bangladesh and Pakistan, Raza Ali was born and grew up in what was formerly East Pakistan. He was also partly of Iranian and Chinese heritage. After some years of teaching, mostly in Toronto, he turned his focus to writing, dedicating himself to short stories and memoirs.

Raza completed his graduate work at Syracuse University, where he also studied creative writing. He later co-authored a book on English language theatre in Dhaka in the 1950s and 1960s.

He contributed generously to Kitaab over the years and was a constant source of encouragement for fellow writers and editors alike. Many of us will remember him not only for his thoughtful words but also for his kindness, his unwavering support of literature, and his belief in the community we were nurturing together.

In recent years, Raza also recorded himself reading some of his stories on his YouTube Channel. He began doing this after a dear friend lost his eyesight and could no longer read, an act of care that reflected the empathy at the heart of who Raza was.

As a tribute to him, we have made a selection of his works available to read his works in Kitaab, and we will soon be sharing the last piece he submitted to us, a testament to his enduring voice and spirit.

Raza Ali will be deeply missed, but his words and his voice will continue to live on in our pages and in the hearts of our readers.

-Team Kitaab

Updated on September 6th 2025, to add: Please read Raza Ali’s last piece for Kitaab HERE.