Capturing the Migration Memory of Canada’s Diverse Ismaili Muslims

This paper examines the archived travelling exhibit, 50 Years of Migration, led by artist Aquil Virani, in collaboration with the Aga Khan Council for Canada. The paper highlights the Ismaili Muslim community’s migration journey to Canada following the 1972 expulsion of “Ugandan Asians.” The exhibit uses various materials—including photographs, testimonies, and historical records—to narrate the community’s resilience and resettlement into Canadian society. Drawing on Laurence Gouriévidis’ theories of memory and migration in museums, we analyze the creative direction that empower Ismaili voices and contribute to Canada’s broader narrative of multiculturalism. The exhibit’s community-centered approach—moving from a large institution, the Aga Khan Museum, to local jamatkhanas—emphasizes the importance of community-led memory projects. The partnership with the Aga Khan Council for Canada, the Aga Khan Museum, and Aquil Virani, with their shared commitments to cultural representation, is highlighted as a model for future migration exhibitions. Ultimately, 50 Years of Migration serves as a powerful tool for understanding the role of memory in shaping Canada’s multiculturalidentity.