Ali Velshi was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and raised in Toronto, Canada, after moving there in 1971. He is an Ismaili Muslim of Gujarati Indian descent. His parents, Murad and Mila Velshi, are both of Indian origin, and his great-grandparents moved to Africa from Gujarat a century ago. Murad Velshi was the first Canadian of Indian origin elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Ali Velshi graduated from Queens University in Ontario with a degree in religion. He is a broadcast journalist, author, actor, writer, and producer.