Umar Quraishi
Umar Quraishi (born 1992 in Clarksville, Tennessee) is a local musician, actor, and activist. He is second-generation Pakistani-American, born to parents Shaista Quraishi & Baha Quraishi.
Umar has an extensive history as an activist and organizer in Birmingham, in Alabama, and globally. In 2012, Umar served as an Assistant Volunteer Coordinator for McWane Science Center. In 2015, Umar worked with Project Hearts as a construction consultant and fundraising partner with in Baitoa, Dominican Republic. He graduated from UAB in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in global health studies. While in college he was active in Circle K International, including serving as the UAB Chapter Treasure. During his time with Circle K International; he was active in serving at Pathways, and fundraising for organizations such as Students Team Up to Fight Hunger. For his senior year capstone he worked with Magic City Agriculture Project to design the outline for the creation of a Magic City Grown brand to help spur local sustainable cooperative agriculture. In 2020 he worked with SWEET Alabama to support the unionization effort at the Amazon BHM1 Facility in Bessemer, Alabama.
Umar has been involved in numerous local music projects, playing bass guitar for three local bands. His most notable musical venture is as the founder, song-writer, bassist for Animala, a post-rock psychadelia.
Umar completed his Master’s degree in Business Administration and Public Health (MBA/MPH) with a concentration in Health Behavior at UAB in 2021. He graduated from UAB in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in global health studies.