My Name Is Not Harry: A Memoir

by Haroon Siddiqui

“A distinctive and insightful perspective on being Muslim in the post-9/11 world.” — Charles Taylor

Veteran Toronto Star editor Haroon Siddiqui, brown and Muslim, has spent a life on the media front lines, covering conflicts both global and local, and tracked rising xenophobia.

Canada has no official culture. It follows that there's no standard way of being Canadian, beyond obeying the law. Toronto Star editor Haroon Siddiqui shows how Canada let him succeed on his own terms.

Coming from India in 1967, he didn't do in Rome as some Romans expected him to. He refused to forget his past. He didn't change his name, didn't dilute his dignity, didn't compromise his conscience or his dissident views. Championed immigration and multiculturalism when that was not popular. Upbraided media colleagues for being white-centric, Orientalist. Pioneered cross-cultural journalism, bridging divided communities. Insisted it was un-Canadian to use free speech as a licence for hate speech. Opposed the limitless American war on terror, the invasion of Iraq, the long war on Afghanistan. Exposed how liberals could also be narrow-minded and nasty.

Here he shares such journalistic forays into the corridors of power, war zones, and cultural minefields. He also takes the reader along his personal journey from British colonial India to the evolution of Canada as the only Western nation where skin colour is no longer a fault line.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

472 pages, Paperback

Published March 11, 2025

Reviews

[Enid Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in the day, after the folding of the Toronto Telegram, my parents switched to subscribing to The Toronto Star. As I aged and took note of the paper, when it arrived, the first thing I did was seek out two columns (on their respective days): Haroon Siddiqui and Michelle Landsberg. They were formative to me becoming who I am today.

This was a fascinating peak into the personal history of the man who so influenced me, and a great trip down memory lane as it relates to key moments in Canadian and global history.

Well worth the read.

[Rennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book from a number of perspectives. It provides good context for some of the tensions going on in Canada and elsewhere that are the product of past attitudes and beliefs. Some of those commonly held beliefs have proven to be unfounded although Mr. Siddiqui does romanticize some topics as well so reading widely to take in a variety of viewpoints is always a good idea.

[Maryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely terrific part-memoir part-cdnmedia-history book.

[Asiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really like the little bit of Hyderabadi history in the beginning.

[Jaylani Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book by Mr. Haroon Siddiqui. I have been waiting to read a book written by him.

[Pankaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the interest of complete disclosure, I must state that I consider Haroon a friend and mentor. I look up to him as a complete professional, a most caring human and an upright citizen of Canada who draws on his strength from his early life in India. His Memoir says it all, best.

It is no easy task for an immigrant to remain true to their identity (defining Urdu expression - vujood, meaning existence or the very being of a person) and what shapes them while assimilating with the new environment of their new chosen country. Lately, being a Muslim seems to tack on additional challenges and responsibilities to counter growing biases in public discourse that impact individual perceptions, or vice versa.

Sticking to one's principles while engaged in journalism is not a trait that is noticed frequently these days. Yet, as Haroon's Memoir illustrates, this is what he did while speaking truth to power.

This is a book that everyone, especially all immigrants must read. It is educational and inspiring. From having to repeatedly prove his credentials to go on and be awarded the highest honour bestowed by his province - Ontario and his country - Canada are singular accomplishments. Professionally, he has been honoured with the Canadian Journalism Foundation Lifetime Achievement.