Amir and Yasmin Virani are second generation Ugandans who have adopted Canada as their home. Their incredible story gives an insight into their life, and their experiences provide the background to what has led to their generous donations to UBC, the Vancouver community, and British Columbia as a whole.
Born and raised in Uganda, the Viranis enjoyed life just as any family would in their home country. Having grown up, married, and started a family in Uganda, the Viranis were fully established in their East African community. And then a drastic regime change in Uganda followed by immense political destabilization changed their lives forever.
After leaving Uganda – stateless and dependant on other nations’ support – Amir and Yasmin moved to England where Amir’s brothers lived while studying at university. Amir and Yasmin applied for Canadian Visas and after 11 months in London they came to Canada to start all over again.
Read more at The Department of Asian Studies University of British Columbia
2015 Virani Lecture: “Falling for ISIS”, featuring Dr. Farid Esack
The Muslim Public Intellectual Caught Between Speaking Truth to Power and Some Really Awkward Home Truths
via alumnibc
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