Salma Lakhani

Salmabegum Lakhani (, born 1951 or 1952) is the 19th lieutenant governor of Alberta. Her appointment as lieutenant governor became effective upon the swearing of the oath of allegiance and oath of office on August 26, 2020.

She is the viceregal representative of King Charles III of Canada in the province of Alberta. Lakhani is the first South Asian and the first Muslim to hold a viceregal office in Canada.

Personal life and early career Lakhani was born in Kampala, Uganda, the daughter of Abdul and Malek Rajabali, into an Ismaili Muslim family from Gujarat, India. She attended an Aga Khan School during her childhood. In fall 1971, Lakhani started university in the United Kingdom at Manchester University. In August 1972 while Lakhani was back home on summer holidays, the Ugandan President, Idi Amin, began a set of policies that included the expropriation of properties owned by Indians in Uganda. Lakhani returned to the United Kingdom quickly after the announcement of these policies. However, as her family's assets had been expropriated, she was unable to pay her tuition and living expenses. The British government waived these fees for many Ugandans, including Lakhani and her future husband, Zaheer Lakhani, who studied at the University of Leeds.

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Though Lakhani acknowledged that her role is viewed as mostly ceremonial, she emphasized her belief in "do[ing] the right thing for our people and for our Constitution". year_adopted=May 15, 2023 escutcheon="Gyronny arrondi of four gules and or, a pellet charged with a wild rose proper" crest="A pronghorn lodged guardant proper gorged of a ribbon sable pendent therefrom a heart gules" supporters="Two grey crowned cranes standing on a rocky mount charged with Stargazer lilies and wild roses in front of snowy mountains proper" motto= orders=Order of Saint John, Alberta Order of Excellence