Pakistani-American attorney Khizr Khan, who works with the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, will receive the highest civilian honour in the United States from President Joe Biden.
A Friday White House statement said the Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honour bestowed upon individuals who have made exemplary contributions to US public or private corporations’ prosperity, values, or security.
President Joe Biden selected Khan from 17 notable people for the prestigious award, including Apple co-founder Steve Jobs (posthumously), Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and former Senator John McCain (posthumously).
White House also mentioned that 17 Americans demonstrate the power of the possible and embody the soul of the nation: hard work, perseverance and faith.
Introduced under former President John F. Kennedy, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who have made notable contributions.
Khan was a prominent supporter of the rule of law and freedom of religion.
A staunch critic of former US President Donald Trump, Khizr stayed in the spotlight after delivering an impassioned speech at Congress in 2016, questioning whether the Republican leader had ever read the US Constitution. Khizr Khan, born in Gujranwala, immigrated to the USA in 1980.
His son Humayun, a former US Army captain, was killed on duty in Iraq in 2004. He also received critical military decorations for his bravery.
