Tag: Pakistan & Pakistani
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The Chromatic Angel
The Chromatic Angel: Celebrating Kindness and Reclaiming Pride The journey toward self-acceptance is rarely a straight line. Often, our artwork reflects the exact state of our internal healing. My piece, The Chromatic Angel, began its life as a quiet, black-and-white ink sketch during a period when I was still processing internalized stigma regarding my gender…
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The Fluid Gaze
The Fluid Gaze: Gender Expression and the Perceptions of Look How we dress and style our hair changes how the world treats us. Created in 2014, The Fluid Gaze is an intimate digital sketch of a female subject named Kashf. The portrait shows a simple female form, but she carries a distinct look that challenges…
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The Definitive Smile
Beyond the Teeth: Deconstructing Identity in “The Definiled Smile” When society looks at an individual, it often minimizes their entire existence down to a single, recognizable physical trait. We become “the tall person,” “the quiet face,” or, in my personal experience, “the Ali with the big white teeth.” In this 2026 self-portrait, which now serves…
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Beyond the Binary in Peacebuilding: Unpacking UNOCT’s Gender Mainstreaming Framework under the iDove Program
As a peace activist operating within high-risk, extremist environments, I have witnessed firsthand how radical groups manipulate identity to fuel violence. To counter this effectively, our local grassroots efforts must be backed by rigorous, global structural accountability. Recently, through the iDove Program, I had the privilege of attending an eye-opening interactive session led by the…
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Important Security Update: Hacking Attempts on AliRazaKhan.com
I am writing this post to inform my readers and followers that my website has recently been targeted by hacking attempts. Today, I received an official notification that someone tried to gain unauthorized access to my site by requesting a password reset. When I investigated the IP address (107.189.10.248) used for this request, it was…
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The Master Key to Peace: My Journey from Fear to the Multan Arts Council
There was a time in my life, while studying at MNS University, when the world felt incredibly heavy. In Pakistan, we were living through a period of constant fear. As a Shia, the news was filled with reports of targetings and blasts. Every time I stepped out, I had a psychological trauma that stayed with…
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Myself Ali Raza Khan as Scientist Advocate for Food Climate and Human Rights
In February 2015, at Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) in Multan, I stood at the intersection of science and survival. The international conference, ‘Malnutrition in South Asia: The Peril Persists’, brought together voices from Pakistan and abroad to address a crisis that science alone cannot solve, but which science must lead. As a professional in Food…
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The Mystery of the “New” Mahdi
Recently, I saw a sticker at a castle in Switzerland and some TikTok videos that confused me. They talked about a new religion called the “Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light” and a leader named Aba Al-Sadiq (Abdullah Hashem). Since I am from a background where the name “Ahmadi” usually refers to the Pakistani community,…
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The Brain and the Search for Peace
I have often wondered why humans need religion. After my HIV diagnosis, I found myself moving away from traditional beliefs and leaning more toward science. Science gave me the tools to survive and the data to understand my body. But I also realized that the human brain seems to have a built-in need for something…
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Finding the “Mahdi” on a Castle Wall: A Journey from Fear to Science
I was visiting the Valère castle recently, just looking for some history and peace. But as I was reading the information boards, I saw a sticker that stopped me in my tracks. It had a man with a beard, a black background, and a QR code. Underneath, it said in French: “What was promised to…
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URGENT SECURITY NOTICE: My Previous WhatsApp Number Has Been Compromised
To my community, colleagues, and friends, I am writing this urgent update to inform you that my long-standing personal and organizational WhatsApp number (+92 313 6234725) has been hacked and compromised. Effective immediately, I have lost all administrative control over this number. It is currently being operated by malicious actors who have no association with…
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Beyond the Diagnosis: Launching Ali’s Treatment Trek
For over 15 years, my life has been a journey through shadows and light. I have faced the sterile walls of HIV clinics, the heavy silence of societal stigma in the streets of Multan, and finally, the bright lights of global advocacy stages. But how do I share a 15-year journey with someone who hasn’t…
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Play U=U Shield of Science: A New Interactive Artivism Experience by Ali Raza Khan
As a gay individual living with HIV and a dedicated activist in Pakistan, my work has always sat at the intersection of research, activism, and art. Today, I am proud to announce the latest piece of my digital “Artivism” portfolio: The U=U Shield of Science Game. In a country where HIV stigma is often fueled…
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Beyond Borders: When Pakistan and Israel Meet at Pride
There are moments in life that feel like more than just a photograph. They feel like a blueprint for the future. Recently, at Pride Geneva, I had the honor of standing alongside Leo from Queers Against Antisemitism (QgA). In my hand, I held the Pakistani Muslim rainbow flag; in his, the Jewish rainbow flag. In…
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From Isolation to Integration: My Journey with the Queeramnesty Mentorship Program
Finding your way in a new country is never easy—especially when you are a queer refugee navigating the complexities of an asylum process. As a Minorities Right Activist who has dedicated years to peace-building, I know firsthand that while resilience is internal, support must be communal. Recently, I had the honor of providing feedback for…
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Standing in Global Solidarity: My Message for the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
I am proud to share that my voice has been featured alongside fellow activists from across the Asia Pacific in a powerful new campaign by the Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW). To mark the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, we have come together to send a unified message to the…
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United We Stand: Gratitude to SGDI Pakistan for Amplifying Our Fight
In times of deepening silence from the global community, the voices of our local allies become our most vital lifeline. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Society for Gender Diversity & Inclusion Pakistan (SGDI Pakistan) for resharing my recent article, “The Closing Walls: How Global Indifference is Fueling Pakistan’s War on its…
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Why the HERO Awards Are a Lifeline: My Message for APCOM 2025
As we approach the APCOM HERO Awards 2025, I’ve been reflecting deeply on what this platform means—not just for those of us who receive an award, but for our entire community across Asia and the Pacific. Back in 2021, I was humbled to be named the HIV Hero at these prestigious awards. It was a…
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Building Bridges from the Ground Up: Joining the Global Muslim-Jewish Youth Unity Project
I am thrilled to announce my involvement as a team member in a truly groundbreaking initiative: the GLOBAL MUSLIM-JEWISH YOUTH UNITY PROJECT. This project, which officially launched on October 7, 2025, is not just another non-profit; it is a declaration of courage and a testament to the power of people over politics. The Impossible Has…