Ali Velshi, CNN’s former top business reporter, has landed at Al Jazeera America.

Velshi, a Canadian Muslim of Indian descent, has a degree in religious studies. He was let go from CNN this week after 12 years.

Al Jazeera bought former veep Al Gore’s Current cable channel late last year for a reported $100 million and will start a full-time, English-language channel this summer. Velshi is its first on-air hire.