Ali Raza

Ali Raza moved to Stoke-on-Trent in 2017 to be with his wife Romana, who he met at a family function, he recalls asking her family for permission to marry their daughter, “I knocked on the door said “As-salāmu ʿalaykum” and when I entered the house there more than 20/25 family members waiting there for me you know, it was certainly one of the most difficult situations in my life I’ve ever faced *laughs*. Somehow I managed my nerves and give myself a bit of time, took some deep breaths!”

Ali is originally from the small city Chiniot in Punjab, Pakistan and moved to London for his studies in accountancy, and moved to Stoke-on-Trent in 2017 to be with his wife’s family. He reflects on life in Stoke,“My friends were trying to stop me saying, ‘What you goanna do mate? You going to Stoke? From London?!’ But I did it for my family and my wife.” He adds, “I’m here for last one year. It’s different from the hustle bustle of London to the quiet of Stoke-on-Trent. People are so lovely and I have so much more time to do things.”

Ali is the director of Ali Rom, (a combination of Ali’s name and his wife Romana) a travel agent and money exchange service based in Hanley and has recently opened Waves car wash in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.