Haroon Siddiqui

Haroon Siddiqui, CM, O.Ont (born June 1, 1942) is an Indo-Canadian newspaper journalist, columnist and a former editor.

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- 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 emigrate 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.

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