Ali was born in Islampur, Shah Paran Thana, Sylhet District, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and came to the United Kingdom at the age of seven in 1976.
[2] In 2001, Ali graduated with a BA in Informal and Community Education by distance learning from the University of Kent.
[4] In the same year, he was seconded from Camden Youth Service to become a part-time volunteer for the community and social welfare charity Bengali Workers' Association.
[2] In 1995, he left British Telecom and joined King's Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association as a trainee youth worker.
Ali acquired his distance-learning degree from the YMCA George Williams College while working full-time.
Since 2002, he been councillor for Regent's Park ward, with a focus on diverting young people away from crime and conflict.
[13] He was also an advisor to the Metropolitan Police Service and The Prince's Trust,[3] and a Governor for Westminster Kingsway College.
Ali has worked with the British High Commissioner in Bangladesh to promote the interests of Bangladeshis who live in Camden or who wish to visit the UK.
In 2007, Ali arranged a reception for Professor Muhammad Yunus to celebrate his award of the Nobel Peace Prize.
[5][6] In 2010, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours for his services to local government.