A Lifetime of Global Advocacy

“I am a human rights defender. I speak for minority groups and for women within minority groups who, because of their gender, suffer double persecution.”

While I have a strong personal faith, I do not work for a specific faith when I raise my voice on issues of otherization. I speak for all persecuted religious minority groups everywhere. This includes those individuals and groups who do not profess a faith.

What Brought Me to this Place

“The injustice I have witnessed has bred in me a strong sense of justice. Among the world’s many oppressed groups, those persecuted for their faith often receive insufficient attention.”

— Farahnaz Ispahani

Bio

What I’ve Been Working On

“Purifying the Land of the Pure” is an essential contribution to the literature on Pakistan, and fills an important gap in helping readers understand Pakistan’s treatment of minorities.”

- Stephen P Cohen, Brookings Institution

“[Ispahani] has a firm grasp of Pakistan’s modern national narrative and keen insight into its intricacies.”

- Publisher’s Weekly

Purchase Book

What I’ve Been Working On

"Politics of Hate, Religious Majoritarianism in South Asia." Edited by Farahnaz Ispahani Harper Collins India Rs. 499

In this timely study of the phenomenon of politically motivated religious and ethnic division, noted scholars discuss the role of the media and political leaders in deploying hatred for political advantage in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

- Farahnaz Ispahani

“Purifying the Land of the Pure” is an essential contribution to the literature on Pakistan, and fills an important gap in helping readers understand Pakistan’s treatment of minorities.”

- Stephen P Cohen, Brookings Institution

“[Ispahani] has a firm grasp of Pakistan’s modern national narrative and keen insight into its intricacies.”

- Publisher’s Weekly

Purchase Book

Purchase Book

Articles & Op Eds

Public Speaking

Books

Media Appearances

My Areas of Focus

ISSUES

Freedom of Religion & Belief
Freedom of Speech
Human Rights
Religious Extremism

EXPERTISE

Academic Journals
Advocacy
Articles/Opinion
Authorship

Prior Speaking Engagements

Anti-Defamation League

Aspen Ideas Festival

Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University

Council on Foreign Relations

Ministerial for International Religious Freedom

FoRB Women’s Alliance

Halifax International Security Forum

The Hudson Institute

Jamia Millia University, Delhi

National Democratic Institute

National Endowment for Democracy

Observer Research Foundation

The Brussels Forum

The Chautauqua Institute

The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

Wellesley College

Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars

21Wilberforce