Jun 25, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2018

Andy Khawaja Appointed to USCIRF

WASHINGTON, DC – Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) last week appointed Dr. Andy Khawaja to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

“USCIRF welcomes the appointment of Dr. Andy Khawaja to the Commission. With threats to freedom of religion or belief around the globe growing rapidly, we look forward to adding his voice and efforts to the vital work of the Commission,” said USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee.

Dr. Andy Khawaja is founder and CEO of Allied Wallet, a leading online payment service provider headquartered in Los Angeles. He founded Allied Wallet in 2005 and the company now has a presence in Germany, India, Macau, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

In addition to his work as an entrepreneur, Dr. Khawaja has shared his knowledge of various issues, including the Middle East, cybersecurity, and banking, with government officials at the national, state, and local levels. He has met with officials from current and previous presidential administrations as well as Members of Congress.

Dr. Khawaja also has delivered keynote and commencement speeches at Sheikh Zayed University, Abu Dhabi University, Lebanese American University, the Lithuanian Youth Summit, and the Baltic States University. He has been featured in numerous publications including Forbes, Time Magazine, Bloomberg, The Guardian, and Wired Magazine.

In 2016, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in Humanitarian Studies by the Lebanese American University. Dr. Khawaja is fluent in five languages, including Arabic, French, and German.

Comprised of nine commissioners, USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan federal body that is principally responsible for reviewing the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and making policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress. The President and leadership of both political parties in the Senate and House of Representatives appoint USCIRF Commissioners.  

 

###

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, the first of its kind in the world.  USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations abroad and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress.  USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties.  To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Isaac Six, Director of Congressional Affairs and Communications ([email protected] +1-202-786-0606).