Haïdar El Ali

Haidar el Ali, Senegalese ecologist, was born in 1953 in Louga, Senegal. His parents were Lebanese immigrants who “got stuck” in Senegal on the route to the United States in the 1930s. After settling in Senegal, the family started multiple furniture stores and workshops in Medina neighborhoods in Dakar. While growing up Ali worked in the family business. However at the age of 25, he had a turning point as he became interested in nature causing him to leave his family business. Once he left the family business, Ali went to France to become a professional scuba diving instructor. Once he returned to Senegal, he started a diving company in Dakar. He would film what he saw underwater and share those images with local communities and the media which helped raise awareness about humans impact on the marine ecosystem.