Who is this Pakistani-American woman Anila Ali? Pakistani-American activist Anila Ali has emerged as a voice advocating for peace and solidarity.
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Ali comes from a family with a rich history of public service, including her great-grandfather who served as the Prime Minister of Kashmir, and her grandmother, a prominent figure in the Muslim League.
Ali, who currently resides in Washington D.C., has become known for her efforts in promoting women’s rights and interfaith understanding.
Recently, she addressed a rally in the U.S. capital as part of the “March for Israel,” where she expressed support for the Jewish people and condemned the actions of Hamas in the ongoing conflict.
During her speech, Ali emphasized her commitment to fostering unity among Abrahamic faiths, stating, “I stand before you as a friend of the Jewish people.”
She further asserted that Islam prohibits the kind of actions carried out by Hamas on October 7, condemning the group’s tactics.
The rally, held on the National Mall, drew a diverse crowd, with senior members of Congress also addressing the participants amid heightened security measures. The event aimed to show solidarity with Israel in its struggle against Hamas.
While Ali’s message of unity resonated with many, her appearance at the rally sparked a debate on social media regarding her stance and affiliations. Some individuals, including former bureaucrat and columnist Orya Maqbool Jan, claimed that Ali had led a delegation to Israel in 2022 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
واشنگٹن میں آج اسرائیل کے حق مظاہرہ ہوا جس میں گلسطیبوں کو ختم کرنے تک جنگ جاری رکھنے پر تقریریں ہوئیں ۔اس پاکستانی نژاد انیلا علی نے بھی تقریر کی۔ یہ اس پاکستانی وفد کی سربراہ تھی جو شہباز شریف حکومت کے دوران ستمبر 2022میںُ اسرائیل گیا تھا ، اینکر احمد قریشی بھی شامل تھا pic.twitter.com/uS1izepdRc
— Orya Maqbool Jan (@OryaMaqboolJan) November 15, 2023
لیکوریا مقبول جان صاحب ڈیلیٹ کردیں کیونکہ آپ اس بار بھی جھوٹ بولتے پھڑے گئے ہیں اور آپکے جھوٹے ہونے کیلئے اتنا ہی کافی ہے کہ آپکو صدیق جان ریٹوئٹ کررہا ہے
زمین ملی تو بنجر pic.twitter.com/BAoaQjbIOZ— Raja Kabeer ™ (@kabeerraja786) November 16, 2023
However, others contested this assertion, presenting evidence that Anila Ali’s visit to Israel occurred while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was in power.
Who is this Pakistani-American woman Anila Ali?
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Anila Ali was raised in a family dedicated to public service, reads her profile on her website.
Ali’s background is steeped in a legacy of public service; her father, a journalist and diplomat, founded Pakistan’s first news agency and authored numerous books, including a biography of the Prophet Muhammad.
Her mother, a teacher and philanthropist, also contributed to education and charitable causes.
As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to unfold, individuals like Anila Ali play a crucial role in promoting dialogue and understanding between communities with diverse perspectives on the complex geopolitical issues at hand.