Friday, August 28, 2020

Mahmood brothers

Brothers Aaqib and Saqib Mahmood are twins who are both entering their final year of a joint program in law and business administration at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law and Rotman School of Management.

They are not just U of T law and business students – they are also magicians.

"We've been very lucky, being law students at U of T, we have performed for law firms in the Toronto area,” says Saqib.

“We're not only students; we're engaging with the legal community through our professional hobby.”

The brothers, who have been practising magic together since they immigrated to Canada over a decade ago, founded a performance company, Mahmood Magic, in 2012. Although they showcase bigger illusions on-stage, their most in-demand service is entertaining guests with up-close parlour routines.

“The pandemic has affected our magic business, as it has impacted everyone in multiple ways across the world. One client was hoping to hire us for his grandmother’s 90th birthday party, asking if we could perform in a socially-distant way, but we declined the offer in order to minimize the health risk to his grandmother,” says Aaqib, adding they have received offers to perform virtually as well.

The Faculty of Law’s first-year orientation is underway this week with a mix of online and in-person sessions, including an introductory course on legal methods.

The brothers host a glimpse of what they describe as the ‘transformative experience’ of law school, by providing a virtual tour of the of the student spaces within the Jackman Law Building.

“It’s a privilege to give back to the law school as student ambassadors,” says Saqib.

“We have learned and grown so much – through the many national and international opportunities that came our way – and the incredible learning that awaits U of T Law students. If it were not for our colleagues and the faculty, we would not be the people we are today.”