By: Javaid Daniel
When I sat down with Rizwan, I didn’t expect such quiet strength in someone who has faced so much violence, injustice, and personal risk. A survivor, a reformer, and a visionary, Rizwan has become one of Pakistan’s most passionate and persistent advocates for peace, nonviolence, and harmony.
“I was only seven,” he began, “when my village, Shanti-Nagar—ironically called the ‘Home of Peace’—was attacked by a mob.” The attackers came with guns and bombs, fueled by false accusations of blasphemy against the local Christian community. Rizwan’s mother hid him behind a closet as flames devoured homes, including his own. When the military finally intervened, he emerged into a neighborhood of ashes and trauma. “Everything was gone—my books, my shoes, my home. But something new was born in me that day: a lifelong commitment to peace.”
That commitment grew stronger over time. Rizwan pursued degrees in Business Studies, Theology, and Peace and Conflict Studies, equipping himself to lead change from both spiritual and policy perspectives. As a teenager, he launched a puppetry and street theatre project in Southern Punjab—one of Pakistan’s most violent and underserved regions—to promote messages of nonviolence, harmony, and acceptance.
“People didn’t have cinemas or community centers,” he said. “So we used theatre to engage, educate, and transform.” The performances gained immense popularity, helping reshape public attitudes. His work caught national attention, and Pepsi Pakistan collaborated with him on the Liter of Light project, providing solar lights so his team could perform even in remote, electricity-deprived villages.
But speaking up for peace in Pakistan is not without risk. “I’ve been arrested and attacked multiple times,” Rizwan told me. “For protesting discriminatory policies, for opposing violence, for simply asking for justice.” Still, he presses on. “My faith gives me strength. I believe in a God of mercy, justice, and peace. That belief keeps me grounded.”
Rizwan’s faith is not passive—it’s action-oriented. As Director of I Am Your Protector Pakistan, he used art and storytelling to build empathy and challenge narratives of hate. He shared stories of Muslims protecting Christians, Hindus defending Sikhs—real acts of courage that rarely make headlines. He also launched a national movement for religious tolerance, bringing together Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs to publicly oppose blasphemy laws, sectarian attacks, and religious violence.
He also founded the National Ecumenical Council of Pakistan, the country’s first platform uniting churches and Christian denominations to work together for peace, justice, and unity. Under Rizwan’s leadership, the council is not only promoting Christian unity but also mobilizing churches across the country to take an active role in national peace efforts. Traditionally sidelined or hesitant to engage in public affairs, many churches are now finding their voice through this platform.
“I believe churches must come out of their silence,” Rizwan shared. “They can no longer just pray for peace inside the walls—they must stand for it in society.”
Through the council, Rizwan is equipping pastors and congregations with tools to counter extremist narratives, challenge hate speech, and respond constructively to sectarian tensions. He’s also building bridges with Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh communities, encouraging collaborative advocacy and dialogue. “We’ve created a space where faith leaders of different religions can sit at one table, share concerns, and plan joint actions to protect each other’s rights.”
Believing that change begins at the grassroots, Rizwan pioneered 126 Village and Town Peace Forums across Pakistan. These forums train local leaders—including women and youth—to resolve conflict, prevent violence, and promote coexistence in their communities. “Sustainable peace can’t be imposed,” he told me. “It has to be built from the ground up.”
His influence has gone global. Rizwan was selected as an Emerging Leader of Pakistan and invited by the U.S. Government to represent marginalized communities at the White House and U.S. Senate. He has since spoken at numerous local and international conferences, urging the world to reject violence, extremism, and hatred. “His struggles have saved countless lives, homes, and dreams from being consumed by fire,” said one conference organizer.
He also served in the Youth Parliament of Pakistan, where he pushed for reforms to hate crime laws, religious discrimination, and education policy. Today, he teaches peacebuilding and human rights in seminaries and religious schools and serves on the boards of several nonprofits dedicated to justice and reconciliation.
As our conversation drew to a close, I couldn’t help but reflect: It is amazing and deeply encouraging to see how a 35-year-old man has achieved so much—and yet carries no bitterness, only passion, courage, and a quiet, unwavering hope.
Looking me in the eye, he said, “I’ve seen blood and fire. I’ve walked through fear. But I still believe. I believe peace is not weakness—it’s resistance. It’s bold. It’s the harder choice. But it’s the only path that leads us anywhere worth going.”
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