April 9, 1985
Born in Toronto
Jehangir Saleh was born in Toronto on April 9, 1985. His life brought together a love of words, music, ideas and friendship.
Jehangir’s life and legacy
A journey through Jehangir’s writing, ideas, friendships and the work that continues in his name. Explore his own words, memories shared by others, and the lectures, student projects and awards that carry his legacy forward.
His life
1985–2013 · Writing, philosophy, friendship and community
1985
1999
Writing · September 25, 1999
An early poem: The Million-Mile Road
The Million-Mile Road is the earliest dated poem in the current website archive. It offers an early point of entry into the writing he continued throughout his life.
2002
Writing · August 24, 2002
Writing as a way to make sense of life
In this autobiographical piece, Jehangir describes writing poetry from sixth grade and finding an outlet for worry. He also reflects on volunteering, an internship and the possibilities of a creative career.
2003
Writing · April 11, 2003
Family, Canada and giving back
Jehangir reflects on his parents’ move to Canada and on the place of tolerance, volunteering and community in his own life.
2005
Writing · January 6, 2005
A birthday letter to his father
In Book of Secrets, Jehangir gives his father a book and a letter about the stories that help us understand who we are, where we have come from and where we might go.
2007
University record · May 1, 2007
A university record of service
A Ryerson University nominating-committee report lists Jehangir for a third term as an undergraduate member of the Research Ethics Board.
2008
March 2008
Research on Hamlet at Arteries
Jehangir presented research on disorder in Hamlet at the Arteries undergraduate conference. The conference later became Kaleidoscope, where his work and memory continue to be recognized.
University record · May 6, 2008
An illness paper accepted for Oxford
A Ryerson Senate record announces acceptance of Jehangir’s paper for Making Sense of Health, Illness and Disease at Mansfield College, Oxford, scheduled for July 2008.
Also in 2008 (the exact date isn’t recorded)
Published · 2008
A co-authored research ethics article
Jehangir co-authored a Journal of Academic Ethics article with Nancy A. Walton and Alexander G. Karabanow on students’ membership of university research ethics boards.
2010
Writing · June 13, 2010
Dear Lovely Friends
Writing after 55 days in hospital, Jehangir shares what has changed in his health and invites his friends into his world. The letter shows how much companionship and everyday connection mattered to him.
Also in 2010 (the exact date isn’t recorded)
2010
Making room for shared adventures
Jehangir and his cousin Imran created Make Us Do Stuff, inviting people to suggest activities they could undertake together. Later reporting recalls projects such as subway carolling and a shared art canvas in a park.
2011
November 23, 2011
Speaking to future doctors
Jehangir spoke to first-year medical students at the University of Toronto alongside his friend Shannon Price. His talk, preserved as mopping + kissing + football, explores daily treatment and the experience of living with cystic fibrosis.
2012
Published · May 24, 2012
A university profile of his philosophy
At Guelph published Susan Bubak’s profile, Philosophy Helps Student Cope With Chronic Illness, describing Jehangir’s philosophical work and experience of illness.
2013
Writing · March 14, 2013
On a date
Jehangir writes about attraction, intimacy and the distance imposed by cross-infection risk. The essay brings his philosophical attention to a personal encounter.
Writing · April 12, 2013
On dreams
In a conversation with his father on the way to hospital, Jehangir reflects on dreams, the limits of his body and his wish to travel to Vancouver by train and walk beside the ocean.
June 28, 2013
Remembering Jehangir
Jehangir died in Toronto on June 28, 2013, from complications of cystic fibrosis. He was 28. His writing, friendships and the communities he helped create remain part of his story.
His continuing legacy
2013 onward · Remembrance, lectures, research and acts of kindness
2013
October 6, 2013
A commemoration celebration
A recorded commemoration celebration brings together people remembering Jehangir and celebrating his life. It remains a place to hear those memories and return to his work.
2014
Published · January 20, 2014
Lives Lived: a cousin’s tribute
Imran Saleh’s Lives Lived tribute in The Globe and Mail remembers Jehangir’s creativity, relationships and search for meaning.
Published · February 5, 2014
A profile of friendship and shared projects
Emily Craig-Evans’s Eyeopener profile looks back at Jehangir’s relationships and the activities he created with Imran, including Make Us Do Stuff.
Also in 2014 (the exact date isn’t recorded)
2014
The Jehangir Saleh Fund is established
The Jehangir Saleh Fund was established at Ryerson University, now Toronto Metropolitan University, to honour his life and work. It began as an annual lecture initiative and now supports student-led public projects.
2015
Published · June 14, 2015
A teacher remembers Jehangir
Heather Mallick’s Toronto Star tribute recalls Jehangir as a student whose intelligence and generosity left a lasting impression on his teacher.
October 27, 2015
The first Jehangir Saleh Lecture
Havi Carel of the University of Bristol delivered the first memorial lecture, The Art of Wellbeing: Living with Illness, opening a public conversation around themes central to Jehangir’s work.
2016
September 27, 2016
Living Well in the Face of Illness
Kay Toombs of Baylor University delivered the second Jehangir Saleh Lecture, continuing the exploration of illness and the possibilities of living well.
2017
September 26, 2017
Imprisoned Bodies: Liberation in the Midst of Limitation
Drew Leder of Loyola University delivered the third memorial lecture, bringing experiences of illness and incarceration into conversation.
2018
Also in 2018
2018
The Meaning of Health
John Russon of the University of Guelph gave the 2018 Jehangir Saleh memorial lecture, The Meaning of Health.
2019
October 3, 2019
Moral Vulnerability in a Time of Political Crisis
Todd May of Clemson University delivered the fifth memorial lecture, Moral Vulnerability in a Time of Political Crisis.
2022
Also in 2022
2022
Women Talks
TMU’s history of the Jehangir Saleh Fund includes Women Talks, with Rachel Appiagyei-David, Claire Davis and Rahma Hilowle.
2023
October 27, 2023
Medical Humanities Conference
A Medical Humanities Conference appears in TMU’s history of events associated with the Jehangir Saleh Fund. Its listing dates it to Friday, October 27, 2023.
November 2023
The first Kaleidoscope conference
The inaugural Kaleidoscope Undergraduate Research Conference took place in November 2023, continuing the university’s tradition of undergraduate research associated with Arteries.
2024
Published · September 3, 2024
His writing in later scholarship
Michael Butler’s article in Frontiers in Psychiatry quotes and discusses Jehangir’s account of repetitive treatment in mopping + kissing + football, bringing his voice into a later scholarly conversation.
November 22, 2024
Kaleidoscope’s second annual conference
Kaleidoscope brought student researchers together for its second annual conference. TMU’s recap connects the event to Jehangir’s earlier Arteries presentation and the Saleh family’s continuing support.
2025
January 9, 2025
Recognizing kindness in his name
At TMU’s Arts Awards Celebration, the Jehangir Saleh Kindness Award recognized Ashlie Wilson, Nooh Kamaluddin, Anna Skendos, Jordan Le Roux and James Southey. The award honours the community spirit expressed through acts of kindness.
November 21, 2025
Resistance and Reinvention
The third annual Kaleidoscope conference showcased undergraduate research under the theme Resistance and Reinvention. TMU’s recap acknowledges the Jehangir Saleh Fund and includes reflections from his mother.
2026
April 28, 2026
Kindness Award recognition continues
TMU’s Arts Awards luncheon recognized Cassandra Didier and Suzette St Pierre, both Psychology students, as recipients of the Jehangir Saleh Kindness Award.
Keep exploring
Spend time with Jehangir’s poems and essays, watch the memories shared by people who knew him, or explore the work continuing in his name.