Faith & Freedom News
Interfaith Affairs / Religious Freedom
Pakistan’s Kashif Mirza Honored With International IRF Award at America 250 Interfaith Ceremony
Karachi-based human rights advocate and Director of the IRF Roundtable Pakistan accepts the International Religious Freedom Award in Washington, dedicating the honor to Pakistan’s grassroots interfaith activists and paying tribute to slain journalist Imtiaz Mir.
Kashif Mirza, Director of the IRF Roundtable Pakistan, receives the International Religious Freedom Award during the America 250 interfaith ceremony in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Faith & Freedom News)
Pakistan’s interfaith community was celebrated on the international stage this week as Kashif Mirza, a Karachi-based human rights activist and Director of the IRF Roundtable Pakistan, received a prestigious International Religious Freedom Award as part of the America 250 commemorations honoring individuals and organizations advancing freedom of conscience worldwide.
The ceremony, held before an audience of diplomats, religious leaders, and interfaith advocates, recognized Mirza’s years of grassroots work defending the rights of religious minorities and promoting dialogue across Pakistan’s diverse faith communities. His award places Pakistan’s local interfaith movement alongside a growing global network of religious freedom advocates recognized under the America 250 banner.
“Every person is born with the freedom to think, to believe, and to follow their conscience. When this freedom is protected, societies flourish; when it is denied, fear and division prevail.” — Kashif Mirza, Director, IRF Roundtable Pakistan
In his acceptance remarks, Mirza framed the award not as a personal achievement but as recognition of a wider movement of volunteers and local roundtable participants across Pakistan who have worked, often quietly and without acclaim, to advance religious freedom and human dignity in their communities. He extended his gratitude to a long list of collaborators, beginning with Dr. Anila Ali, Founder and President of the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) and Co-Chair of the IRF Roundtable Pakistan, whom he credited with making the roundtable’s work possible.
Click any photo to view full size · Faith & Freedom News
A Tribute Grounded in Community
Mirza was careful to root his honor in the people who made it possible. He thanked Greg Mitchell, Founder and CEO of the IRF Secretariat, for building a platform that has allowed roundtables such as Pakistan’s to grow and make a measurable impact, and acknowledged Simran, President of the IRF Secretariat, along with the Secretariat’s co-chairs. He also thanked his parents for teaching him that faith is best measured by how one treats those who believe differently, and his wife and children for sustaining him through years of advocacy work.
He singled out members of the Pakistani delegation who traveled to Washington for the ceremony, including Imam Sajjad and Pastor Shahid, describing their presence in the hall as a testament to the interfaith cooperation the roundtable has built at home.
Full Remarks: Kashif Mirza’s Acceptance Speech
Distinguished guests, respected religious leaders, diplomats, ladies and gentlemen, peace be upon you all.
Thank you so much for this honor and respect.
Every person is born with the freedom to think, to believe, and to follow their conscience. When this freedom is protected, societies flourish; when it is denied, fear and division prevail.
Today, we gather with a shared commitment to advance religious freedom for all.
It is an honor to represent Pakistan at this distinguished gathering. We believe every citizen, regardless of religion or belief, deserves equal rights, dignity, and protection. Together, through dialogue and mutual respect, we can make diversity a source of strength.
I accept this award with humility because it is not mine alone.
It belongs to every volunteer, activist, all local roundtable participants, and every courageous person across Pakistan working to advance religious freedom and human dignity.
First and foremost, I want to recognize Anila Ali, Founder and President of the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council and Co-Chair of the IRF Roundtable Pakistan.
Anila, your vision and leadership made this journey possible. You are great and you are a symbol of bravery. Proud of you.
My sincere thanks also go to Mr. Greg Mitchell, Founder and CEO of the IRF Secretariat, for creating a global platform that has empowered roundtables like ours to grow and make an impact. Mr. Simran, President of the IRF Secretariat, and all co-chairs.
I am grateful to my parents, who taught me that faith is measured by how we treat those who believe differently, and to my wife and children, whose love and support give me the strength to continue this mission.
Our greatest achievement has been taking the conversation on religious freedom beyond conference halls and into communities across Pakistan. But our work is far from over.
Too many people still face discrimination, violence, threats and fear simply because of their faith and beliefs. Which is unacceptable.
This award is not a finish line, it is a reminder that we must do more.
And we will.
It’s an encouragement. We need more dialogue, more local leadership, and more people willing to stand for the rights of others.
I accept this recognition with gratitude and with a renewed commitment to continue that noble cause.
I would like to thank all my — especially our members who traveled all the way from Pakistan, Imam Sajjad and Pastor Shahid and others in the hall.
Religious freedom is not just a right — it is the foundation of peace, justice, and human dignity.
Let us stand together so that every person, everywhere, can live and worship in freedom.
Thank you, and peace be upon you all. God bless you all.
Remembering Imtiaz Mir
In Memoriam
During the ceremony, Mirza paused to pay a solemn tribute to Imtiaz Mir, the journalist who was assassinated in the course of his work. Mirza’s remarks placed Mir’s sacrifice within the broader struggle for freedom of conscience and expression that the IRF Roundtable Pakistan has committed itself to advancing, honoring him as a reminder of the risks still faced by those who speak in defense of truth and religious liberty in Pakistan and beyond.
Mirza closed his remarks by describing the award as encouragement rather than an endpoint, calling for greater local leadership, sustained interfaith dialogue, and continued advocacy on behalf of religious minorities who still face discrimination and threats because of their beliefs.
“Religious freedom is not just a right — it is the foundation of peace, justice, and human dignity. Let us stand together so that every person, everywhere, can live and worship in freedom.” — Kashif Mirza
About The Author
Discover more from Faith & Freedom News - FFN
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
