Siraj Ali
{{Short description|British restaurateur}}{{Distinguish|Sheikh Siraj Ali}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox person
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| name = Siraj Ali
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| image_size = 220px
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| native_name = মুহাম্মদ সিরাজ আলি
| native_name_lang = bn
| birth_name = Muhammad Siraj Ali
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1955|11|24|df=y}}
| birth_place = East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
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| nationality = British
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| occupation = Restaurateur
| years_active = 1979–present
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| spouse = Begum Momtaj Khanom
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| children = 4
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| website = {{URL|http://www.maharajagroup.co.uk/}}
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Muhammad Siraj Ali ({{langx|bn|মুহাম্মদ সিরাজ আলি}}; born 24 November 1954) is a Bangladeshi-born British restaurateur and philanthropist.
Career
In 1979, Ali bought the New Curry Centre, in Stanford-le-Hope. At the time Ali's family was the first Bengali family in Thurrock Essex.{{cite news |url=http://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/news/13951250.Q_A_with_Siraj_Ali__Meet_the_man_who_brought_Indian_cuisine_to_Thurrock/|title=Q&A with Siraj Ali: Meet the man who brought Indian cuisine to Thurrock|location=Thurrock|work=Thurrock Gazette|date=8 November 2015|access-date=1 December 2015}}
Ali runs the Maharaja restaurant in South Benfleet, Essex.{{cite news |last=McNally|first=Alex|url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/4315631.Restaurant_boss_Siraj_praised_for_community_dedication/|title=Restaurant boss Siraj praised for community dedication|location=Essex|work=Echo|date=25 April 2009|access-date=1 January 2013}} Since 1991, the restaurant has held charity nights raising close to £2 million for hundreds of charitable causes including; Multiple Sclerosis Society, NSPCC, British Red Cross and Breast Cancer Awareness amongst others.{{cite news |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/bangladeshi-restaurant-entrepreneur-honoured-873613|title=Bangladeshi restaurant entrepreneur honoured|location=Manchester|newspaper=Manchester Evening News|date=19 October 2011|access-date=1 January 2013}} Ali has been involved in the Indian catering industry since the 1970s, with a career spanning 40 years.{{cite news |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/9322643.Restaurant_owner_awarded_for_work_in_catering/|title=Restaurant owner awarded for work in catering|location=Essex|work=Echo|date=25 October 2011|access-date=1 January 2013}}{{cite news |url=http://www.halsteadgazette.co.uk/news/south_essex_news/9322643.Restaurant_owner_awarded_for_work_in_catering/|title=Restaurant owner awarded for work in catering|location=Essex|work=Halstead Gazette|date=25 October 2011|access-date=1 January 2013}}
Ali is the founder chairman of both the Thurrock Bangladesh Welfare Association and the Thurrock Islamic Educational Cultural Centre. He is the general secretary of the Castle Point Bangladeshi Education and Cultural Centre, as well as governor of the Hajji Soyed Ali Primary School and the chairman of the advisory committee of the Essex Bangladesh Welfare Association.
He is chairman of the Interim Committee Arbitrator and former treasurer of the Balagonj Education Trust, which aims to provide life skills and education to disadvantaged children in Bangladesh. He is also vice-chairman of The Bangladeshi Catering Association (Essex region).
Awards and recognition
In 2009, Ali won the Channel S Award for years of charity work in south Essex. In 2011, he was awarded the British Bangladeshi Who's Who 'Outstanding Contribution' Award for his long standing contribution to the hospitality and catering industry.
In 2009, Ali was the joint winner of the Bangladesh Caterers Association 'Caterer of the Year' for the South East.{{cite news |url=http://www.tandoorimagazine.com/news/view/a_qcurrysmaticq_bangladeshi_caterers_association_annual_dinner|title=A "Currysmatic" Bangladeshi Caterers Association Annual Dinner|work=Tandoori Magazine|date=January 2010|access-date=1 January 2013}} In 2015, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Curry Life magazine.
Personal life
Ali lives in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex. He is married to Begum Momtaj Khanom, and they have one son, Ansar, and three daughters, Shahena (who is a celebrity television chef on The Food Channel) Shareena and Jasmine.{{cite book |last1=Karim|first1=Mohammed Abdul|last2=Karim|first2=Shahadoth|title=British Bangladeshi Who's Who|url=http://www.bbwhoswho.co.uk/Profile/Ali,%20Mr%20Mohammed%20Siraj.pdf|date=July 2008|publisher=British Bangla Media Group|page=42|access-date=1 January 2013}}{{cite book |last1=Karim|first1=Mohammed Abdul|last2=Karim|first2=Shahadoth|title=British Bangladeshi Who's Who|url=http://www.bbwhoswho.co.uk/whoswho_09.pdf|date=October 2009|publisher=British Bangla Media Group|page=30|access-date=1 September 2014}}
Ali has arranged around 200 charity events per year for 20 years, raising around £600 to £1,500 an event. It is estimated that he has helped raise £3 million for charity.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.maharajagroup.co.uk/ Maharaja Restaurant website]
- [http://www.ethnicnow.com/channels/food-drink/press-release/11/1305/the-maharaja-wins-parliamentary-restaurant-award-from-ainsley-harriott-and-rt-hon-keith-vaz-mp.html The Maharaja Wins Parliamentary Restaurant Award from Ainsley Harriott and Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP]. Ethnic Now. 24 July 2007
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Category:Bangladeshi emigrants to the United Kingdom
Category:British restaurateurs
Category:Bangladeshi businesspeople