Khizr Muazzam Khan, a Pakistani-born American Muslim, will be awarded the top US Civil Award on 7th July by American President Joe Biden.
He rose to fame after challenging former US President Donald Trump on his knowledge of the American Constitution.
Khan is the founder of the Constitution Literacy and National Unity Center. He is among the 17 individuals from across the US who will receive the award this year. Muazzam Khan and his wife Ghazala were being declared ‘Golden Parents’. The title is given to those whose children die fighting for America.
Khizr Muazzam Khan is the father of the US Army Captain Humayun Khan aged 27 who lost his life Iraq war in 2004. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery in Virginia. He was later given a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
“The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the US, world peace, or other significant societal, public, or private endeavors,” the White House announced on Friday.
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“Khizr Khan is a prominent advocate for the rule of law and religious freedom and served on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom under President Biden,” the statement added.
Khizr Khan was born in a small village in Gujranwala Pakistan and moved to the USA in 1980. Khan was 24 when he left Pakistan for Dubai and later moved to the USA.
He had challenged former American President Donald Trump regarding his knowledge of the Constitution. While addressing Donald Trump he said: “We are honored to stand here as parents of Captain Humayun Khan and as patriotic American Muslims.” He continued: “Donald Trump, you’re asking Americans to trust you with their future. Let me ask you, have you even read the United States constitution? I will gladly lend you my copy. In this document, look for the words ‘liberty’ and ‘equal protection of law’.” Still addressing Trump, he asked: “Have you ever been to Arlington cemetery? Go look at the graves of brave patriots who died defending the United States of America. You will see all faiths, genders, and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing – and no one.”