In the novel Absent in the Spring, Ali is charge of the small guest house at Tell Abu Hamid where Joan Scudamore is stranded for several days. He takes care of guests and serves meals. In the book he is described as "an Indian with an artistic turban wrapped round his head". In the orginal book, the character isn't actually given a name but in the 2020 BBC Radio 4 Adaptation he is called "Ali" and is portrayed by Nabil Elouahabi.