WASHINGTON: Pakistani-American Khizr Khan, who gained worldwide fame by challenging former US President Donald Trump’s knowledge of the Constitution, has been named to receive the country’s highest civilian award – the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
President Joe Biden on Friday announced 17 famous Americans to receive the coveted award, including Khizr Khan. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs (posthumous) and former Senator John McCain (posthumous) will also receive the award.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established under former President John F. Kennedy, is the highest civilian honor presented to individuals who have made America’s prosperity, values or security, world peace, or other significant social, public, or exemplary contributions. private effort, the White House said in a statement.
“President Biden has long said that America can be defined by one word: possibilities,” it added.
The White House continued, “These seventeen Americans demonstrate the power of possibility and embody the soul of the nation – hard work, perseverance and faith.”
“They have overcome significant obstacles to make impressive achievements in the arts and sciences, have dedicated their lives to advocating for the most vulnerable among us, and have worked bravely to make a difference in their communities – and Around the world – come trails blazing for generations.
The awards will be presented at the White House on Thursday, July 7.
Who is Khizr Khan?
Khizr Khan is a Gold Star father and founder of the Center for Constitution Literacy and National Integration.
He is a leading advocate for the rule of law and religious freedom and serves on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom under President Biden.
He rose to fame when in 2016 he openly challenged the then US President for his knowledge of the US Constitution. His son, US Army Captain Humayun Khan, was killed in Iraq in 2004.
Khizr Khan originally hailed from Lahore, where Khizr studied law at the Punjab University.
He then moved to America with his young family to continue his further studies at Harvard Law School, before settling permanently in the country.