Ali Raza Khan, a dedicated peace-builder from Multan, Pakistan, has been working since 2015 to combat the sectarian violence and discrimination that has plagued his country for decades. Drawing from his personal experiences as a member of the Shia Muslim community, Ali has channeled his struggles into a powerful force for change, training thousands of young people in peace-building and preventing violent extremism.
Ali’s journey began with a deep understanding of the discrimination faced by his community. He, like many other Shia Muslims, has endured inappropriate and hateful questions about his religious practices. These questions, often based on false and harmful stereotypes, are a stark reminder of the deep-seated prejudice that exists in some parts of society.
This prejudice, fueled by extremist rhetoric and hate speech, has often escalated into deadly violence. According to various human rights organizations and reports:
- Since 2001, more than 2,600 Shia Muslims have been killed in violent attacks in Pakistan. A report from the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) notes that between 2013 and 2018, 815 of the 2,099 people murdered for their religion were Shia.
- The violence has been both targeted and widespread. In 2013, a series of bombings in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, killed over 250 Shia Muslims in just a few months. A single suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Peshawar in 2022 killed at least 61 people.
- Blasphemy accusations are a tool of discrimination. In 2020, over 40 blasphemy cases were registered against Shias following the month of Muharram, with the youngest accused being a three-year-old child. A report also notes that 70% of all blasphemy cases in 2020 were against Shia Muslims.
- Shia leaders and educated individuals have been systematically targeted. The violence has included what is described as “intellecticide,” a systematic campaign of murder against Shia doctors, engineers, professors, and other professionals, to remove them from positions of authority.
Despite these challenges, Ali Raza Khan has worked tirelessly to build bridges between communities. Through his work with organizations such as Chanan Development Association, Peace Direct, and others, he has trained thousands of young people on the principles of peace-building and dialogue. His work is a testament to the power of one person’s commitment to creating a more tolerant and peaceful society, even in the face of immense adversity.
All human keys are necessary to open up peace in this world. #fdi #peace #HumanRights #SDG pic.twitter.com/h9g4uvaRse
— Ali Raza Khan (@alirazakhanplus) January 11, 2020
If you are interested in supporting peace-building initiatives, you can learn more at AliRazaKhan.com.
or PeaceDirect instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CTUiwJIrlAJ/
My Instagram posts here:
https://twitter.com/alirazakhanplus/status/1216020563858202624
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