Haroon Siddiqui
Encyclopedia
Haroon Siddiqui, CM
, O.Ont
(born June 1, 1942) is an Indo-Canadian newspaper journalist
, columnist
and a former editor.
to upper-class
" childhood.
At Osmania University
in Hyderabad he earned degrees in science and journalism. In 1963, he joined the Press Trust of India
as a reporter and copy editor. When his father fell ill, Siddiqui briefly left journalism to manage his father's company, which he did until 1967.
While at the Press Trust he met Roland Michener
, then Canada's High Commissioner
to India who encouraged him to immigrate to Canada. By 1968 he had taken a job at the Brandon Sun
in Brandon, Manitoba
, reporting on municipal and provincial politics from 1968 to 1978.
In 1978, he joined the Toronto Star
, becoming foreign affairs analyst in 1979, news editor in 1982 and national editor in 1985. From 1985 to 1990, Siddiqui was National Editor, responsible for coverage of federal and provincial affairs.
From 1990 to 1998, Siddiqui was the Star's editorial page editor, and on his departure from that position, he was given the title of “editor emeritus” and a twice-weekly column, which focused on national and international politics as well as cultural and Muslim issues. Siddiqui has written from a left-of-centre perspective on such issues as: the war in Iraq and terrorism. During his tenure The Star advocated a distinct constitutional status for Quebec
and protection of French minorities outside Quebec.
He is the past president of PEN Canada
and chair of International PEN’s Writers-in-Exile Network. He is on the board of directors of the Calmeadow Foundation (a microcredit
lender), the Canadian Club of Toronto
, and the advisory board of the Ryerson University
School of Journalism.
Siddiqui has authored Being Muslim; edited An English Anthology of Modern Urdu
Poetry (1988); assisted in Christopher Ondaatje’s Sindh Revisited (1996), following the footsteps of Victorian explorer Sir Richard Burton; and contributed to Canada and Sept. 11, published by the University of Calgary
(2002) and Drawing Fire: The State of Political Cartooning (1998), a colloquium of North America’s top cartoonists and editors, at the American Press Institute.
, and a media award from the Canadian Islamic Congress
.
In 2000, and 2001 he became a member of the Order of Ontario
, for crafting “a broader definition of the Canadian identity,” inclusive of our First Nations, French Canadians and newer Canadians.
In 2001, Siddiqui was awarded an honorary
Doctor of Letters
from York University
. In 2002, he was awarded the World Press Freedom Award by the National Press Club
in Ottawa for his James Minifie Memorial Lecture at the University of Regina, warning against “creeping censorship” in Canada under media concentration.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, O.Ont
Order of Ontario
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
(born June 1, 1942) is an Indo-Canadian newspaper journalist
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
, columnist
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
and a former editor.
Early life and career
Born in Hyderabad, India, the oldest of six children, to a construction company proprietor, Siddiqui enjoyed what he characterizes as a secure and affectionate, "middle-Middle class
The middle class is any class of people in the middle of a societal hierarchy. In Weberian socio-economic terms, the middle class is the broad group of people in contemporary society who fall socio-economically between the working class and upper class....
to upper-class
Upper class
In social science, the "upper class" is the group of people at the top of a social hierarchy. Members of an upper class may have great power over the allocation of resources and governmental policy in their area.- Historical meaning :...
" childhood.
At Osmania University
Osmania University
Osmania University , , since 1918, is a public university located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established and named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It is one of the oldest modern universities in India. It is the first Indian University to have Urdu and...
in Hyderabad he earned degrees in science and journalism. In 1963, he joined the Press Trust of India
Press Trust of India
Press Trust of India is the largest news agency in India. It is headquartered in Delhi and is a nonprofit cooperative among more than 450 Indian newspapers and has a staff of about 2,000 writers spread across 150 offices nationwide...
as a reporter and copy editor. When his father fell ill, Siddiqui briefly left journalism to manage his father's company, which he did until 1967.
While at the Press Trust he met Roland Michener
Roland Michener
Daniel Roland Michener , commonly known as Roland Michener, was a Canadian lawyer, politician, and diplomat who served as Governor General of Canada, the 20th since Canadian Confederation....
, then Canada's High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to India who encouraged him to immigrate to Canada. By 1968 he had taken a job at the Brandon Sun
Brandon Sun
The Brandon Sun is a daily newspaper printed in Brandon, Manitoba. It is the primary newspaper of record for western Manitoba.It was founded by Will White, with the first edition being printed on January 19, 1882....
in Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, Canada, and is located in the southwestern area of the province. Brandon is the largest city in the Westman region of Manitoba. The city is located along the Assiniboine River. Spruce Woods Provincial Park and CFB Shilo are a relatively short distance...
, reporting on municipal and provincial politics from 1968 to 1978.
In 1978, he joined the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
, becoming foreign affairs analyst in 1979, news editor in 1982 and national editor in 1985. From 1985 to 1990, Siddiqui was National Editor, responsible for coverage of federal and provincial affairs.
From 1990 to 1998, Siddiqui was the Star's editorial page editor, and on his departure from that position, he was given the title of “editor emeritus” and a twice-weekly column, which focused on national and international politics as well as cultural and Muslim issues. Siddiqui has written from a left-of-centre perspective on such issues as: the war in Iraq and terrorism. During his tenure The Star advocated a distinct constitutional status for Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
and protection of French minorities outside Quebec.
He is the past president of PEN Canada
PEN Canada
PEN Canada is one of the 144 centres of International PEN. Founded in 1926, it has a membership of over 1,000 writers and supporters who campaign on behalf of writers around the world who are persecuted, imprisoned and exiled for exercising their right to freedom of expression.Since its founding,...
and chair of International PEN’s Writers-in-Exile Network. He is on the board of directors of the Calmeadow Foundation (a microcredit
Microcredit
Microcredit is the extension of very small loans to those in poverty designed to spur entrepreneurship. These individuals lack collateral, steady employment and a verifiable credit history and therefore cannot meet even the most minimal qualifications to gain access to traditional credit...
lender), the Canadian Club of Toronto
Canadian Club of Toronto
The Canadian Club of Toronto is a club in Toronto which meets several times a month to hear lunchtime speeches given by invited guests from the fields of politics, law, business, the arts, the media, and other prominent fields....
, and the advisory board of the Ryerson University
Ryerson University
Ryerson University is a public research university located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its urban campus is adjacent to Yonge-Dundas Square located at the busiest intersection in Downtown Toronto. The majority of its buildings are in the blocks northeast of the square in Toronto's Garden...
School of Journalism.
Siddiqui has authored Being Muslim; edited An English Anthology of Modern Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
Poetry (1988); assisted in Christopher Ondaatje’s Sindh Revisited (1996), following the footsteps of Victorian explorer Sir Richard Burton; and contributed to Canada and Sept. 11, published by the University of Calgary
University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1966 the U of C is composed of 14 faculties and more than 85 research institutes and centres.More than 25,000 undergraduate and 5,500 graduate students are currently...
(2002) and Drawing Fire: The State of Political Cartooning (1998), a colloquium of North America’s top cartoonists and editors, at the American Press Institute.
Awards and distinctions
He shared a 1983 National Newspaper Award for spot news reporting. In 1992 and column writing in 1998. Siddiqui received a Professional Man of the Year award from Indo Canadian Chamber of CommerceChamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
, and a media award from the Canadian Islamic Congress
Canadian Islamic Congress
The Canadian Islamic Congress refers to itself as Canada's largest national non-profit and wholly independent Islamic organization without affiliation to any foreign group, body, or government and says it represents -- Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, men and women, youth and seniors...
.
In 2000, and 2001 he became a member of the Order of Ontario
Order of Ontario
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
, for crafting “a broader definition of the Canadian identity,” inclusive of our First Nations, French Canadians and newer Canadians.
In 2001, Siddiqui was awarded an honorary
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
from York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
. In 2002, he was awarded the World Press Freedom Award by the National Press Club
National Press Club
The National Press Club is a professional organization and private social club for journalists. It is located in Washington, D.C. Its membership consists of journalists, former journalists, government information officers, and those considered to be regular news sources. It is well-known for its...
in Ottawa for his James Minifie Memorial Lecture at the University of Regina, warning against “creeping censorship” in Canada under media concentration.