January 21, 2005
Syed Ali Raza, 1913-2005
Dr. Azra Raza (3 Quarks editor and my sister) writes in Karachi's largest English language daily, Dawn:
Syed Ali Raza, a retired director of the ministry of foreign affairs and a devotee of scholarship, died peacefully in his sleep in Karachi on January 6. The youngest of four children of Syed Zamarrud Hussain (1876-1932) and Hashmi Begum (1885-1956), he was born in Bijnor, India, on November 29, 1913.
By the time Ali Raza was four year old, his father had relocated the family to Lucknow. There after began two decades of a life full of economic hardship, but also full of deep family bonding, motivated by the ideals of intellectual and personal enhancement....
Because of his level of comfort in several languages, Ali Raza also acquired a reputation for translations from Urdu, English, Persian and Arabic. One of his finest accomplishments is the direct translation of Hazrat Ali's Nahjul Balagha from Arabic into English, a publication which has undergone several printings, and remains in wide circulation not only in Pakistan, Iran and the Middle East, but is also found in libraries across Europe and America.
Other books translated from Arabic into English include Aqa-i-Syed Baqar Sadr Shaheed's Bahas Haul-ul-wilaya, Hashim Maroof Hussaini's Al Aimmatul Isna-ashr, Mohammad Jawwad Mughannia's Al-mazahibul Khamsa, Aqae Abdul Hussain Sharful Moosvi's Abu Huraira, Murtaza Askari's Muqadmate Miratul Uqool, and Aqaey Mehdi Shamsuddin's Al-zaroof-us-siyasat-us Shooratul Hussain.
The list of his translations from Urdu into English is too long, but some of his most beloved original contributions are those done at the request of his children such as a tashreeh of Josh Malihabadi's Wahdat-i-Insani and Hussain aur Inqilab and Allama Iqbal's Masjid-i-Qurtuba....
Despite the infirmities of his last two years, he was intellectually fully alert till the day he died, continuing to work several hours a day, engaged in reading, writing, editing and publishing.
Read the rest in Dawn here. For a longer and more detailed version of the obituary, including a longish family history, click here.
Syed Ali Raza was, of course, among other things, my father.
Posted by S. Abbas Raza at 11:29 PM | Permalink
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Comments
My condolences. Think of him every time you plant a seed.
Posted by: Levi | Jan 22, 2005 2:59:41 AM
Thanks for posting such a lively picture of Bhayya...Javed
Posted by: Javed | Jan 24, 2005 4:33:14 AM
I,Safdar Raza (s/o S.Taffazul Husain)was deeply shocked when the sad news was broken to me by my younger brother Mansoor.I had the privelege and honour of spending a lot of time with Phupa Ali Raza who despite all my ignorance and lack of knowledge always debated and discussed religeon with me, accomodating my point of view where ever he could.never tried to impose his thoughts and agreed and disagreed with a smile.He gave me books written by him every time i visited him.The last time that i met him was at Javed Bhai's residence,maybe a year back. i could not meet him after that as i left pakistan soon after that meeting. currently i m in Kuwait. i wish to convey my heartfelt condolence to the family.I know only Javed bhai is in Karachi and the rest are all away.I pray to Allah,in the name of 14 masoomeen that the departed soul may rest in peace. i wonder if ppl like him don't go to the heaven who else will.
Posted by: safdar raza | Mar 8, 2005 7:57:51 AM
Dear Jawed Bhai, Azra Baji, Qasim Bhai Aley Bhai & all,
I am shock to learn about passing away of your illustrous, father.
Without any doubt he was not just a superb person, but and institution.
I was amazed since childhood, by the versatality of his personality. He had the ability to engage in a lively conversation, with people of all ages and shades.
My father Shaheed Aley Hasan Bilgrami, was a great admirer of Chacha Ali Raza.
My bad luck that I was not in Karachi, to have known about the sad demise of my beloved Chacha Ali Razam and participate in his Funeral.
I was surfing the internet, for some material on Josh Sahib, that i learned about this Very Sad news.
Please accept Heartfelt condolences from Myself, my wife Shams Daughter Batool, and sons Ali & Asad.
May God Rest his soul in Pease & give you all the strength to bear this loss.
Regards
Hasan Bilgrami
Richmond Hill Canada
23rd August 2005.
Posted by: Hasan Bilgrami | Aug 23, 2005 8:19:11 PM
Dear Dr Azra Raza
First of all, please accept my heartfelt condolence on the sad demise of your illustrious father.
I have to say, I never met your father but I have heard my father (Ehsan Bilgrami) mentioning the most enriched meetings he had with your father perhaps months before his demise. Was there any link between your father and Syed Ahmad Raza Bilgrami (Block F, North Nazimabad)?
And also, do you have contact details for Hasan Bhai (Hasan Bilgrami, Richmond Hill Canada)? I have been trying to locate him for many years now.
I will be very grateful, if you could help me find Hasan Bhai. Many thanks. Khuda Hafiz. Aziz
Posted by: Aziz Bilgrami | Dec 9, 2005 8:19:00 PM
Dear Aziz Bilgrami,
My contact #s are as ff:
Canada
1 905 883 4865 (available from 18th Dec 05, onward)
1 416 723 3171
Karachi:
92 300 822 0590
Hasan Bilgrami
Posted by: Hasan Bilgrami | Dec 11, 2005 1:27:12 PM
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