“Esteemed guests, friends in humanity, I accept this honour not in my name, but in the name of those who carry the heaviest of burdens, For the mothers whose hearts were shattered by the loss of their sons to hate. For the children who will never again know the warmth of their father’s embrace, stolen by the flames of communal violence. For the families whose homes were reduced to ashes — yet, in the midst of destruction, still found the strength to light a flicker of hope. For every child who, despite the darkness, dared to dream again in the classrooms we rebuilt. And for every soul who, having lost everything, still found the courage to rise and smile once more.
This award belongs to them — to their unyielding spirit, to their unshakable resilience, and to their refusal to be defeated by the hindutva forces of hate.
But today, I must speak a truth that weighs heavy on my heart. India — my beloved homeland — is home to over 200 million Muslims. But we are not just a number. We are teachers nurturing minds, artists painting dreams, workers building nations, and children daring to hope.
And yet, each morning, millions wake up with the unbearable fear — Will I be next? The next to be lynched on the streets. The next to watch my home crumble under a bulldozer. The next face, reduced to a hashtag in the endless scroll of forgotten outrage.
We are witnessing not just violence — but the normalisation of violence. A slow, deliberate erosion of dignity. And let us remember — genocide doesn’t begin with weapons. It begins With silence.
And so, I choose to speak. I choose to resist — with compassion, with courage, and with truth.
This award is not just a recognition; it is a responsibility. To all those who believe in justice and dignity: stand with us. Stand with those who are being othered. Let’s make sure the world never has to say, “We didn’t know.”
When justice is replaced with cruelty, When silence is sold as peace, And when hate is paraded as patriotism —
Toh phir Habib Jalib ke alfaaz yaad aate hain: ’Aise dastoor ko, subh-e-benoor” ko Main nahin maanta, main nahin jaanta.’
A system that thrives on darkness and fear, I do not accept. I do not recognize.”
Thank you, Istanbul. Thank you for listening — and for feeling,” Said Aasif Mujtaba, standing on the stage of Global Donors Forum, in a blue coat with a smile, palpably the heartfelt one, with an award of securing the second position for ‘intonations in sustainable practice’ at Istanbul Global Donors Forum on April 14.
Miles2Smile, an organisation working in the sector of relief and rehabilitation, specially for those affected by Mob lynching, communal Violence, and communal Demolitions has won the 2nd prize in the global donors forum 2025 in Istanbul Turkey.
The organisation is run by Aasif Mujtaba who is also known to be vocal about the needs of the minorities in the nation, and taken stands against segregational laws like CAA NRC in the famous Shaheen bagh stand.
He received a good amount of 20000 US $ while an organisation run by the name of Fajr Scientific won the first prize of 50,000$ for their work in providing medical relief to the people of Gaza.
What makes this prize even more special for Mujtaba is that during the race, he found himself making a heartfelt prayer; not to win first place, but to secure second. Many might find that bizarre, but for him, the relief work of the dedicated doctors deserved more than just a position.
“For the first time in my life, I found myself making a very unusual dua— one not to win the highest prize, but to receive the second place award. But to receive the second place award? Because at the Global Donors Forum in Istanbul, Turkey, four incredible organisations from around the world were running for the ‘innovation and sustainable practice’ award. Among them was a dedicated group of doctors, working tirelessly in Gaza, and I deeply wished for them to receive the maximum prize money.” Mujtaba posted on his social media accounts, gaining likes and compliments from his supporters.
Established nearly five years ago, Aasif Mujtaba’s organisation the Miles2Smile Foundation is dedicated to making a positive impact on marginalized communities in India. From the crisis response during the Delhi Pogrom 2020 to ongoing efforts in education and advocacy, the foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society. With the surge in the mob lynching cases, communal violence, selectively targeted demolition, and hate crimes, the work of Miles2Smile has also increased. With the surge in the mob lynching cases, communal violence, selectively targeted demolition, and hate crimes, the work of Miles2Smile has also increased.
As per the report released by India Hate Lab, India experienced a significant 74.4% increase in hate speech incidents targeting religious minorities. The report documented 1,165 verified cases, with Muslims comprising a staggering 98.5% of the victims. Christians were targeted in 9.9% of the incidents, often in conjunction with anti-Muslim rhetoric. Communal violence also saw a troubling rise, with reported riots surging by 84% compared to the previous year — climbing from 32 in 2023 to 59 in 2024. The clashes resulted in 13 fatalities, including 10 Muslims and 3 Hindus.
Who is Aasif Mujatba?
Engineer-turned-social worker Aasif Mujtaba has a distinguished professional academic record, holding degrees from Aligarh Muslim University and IIT-Delhi, where he was honored with the prestigious “Roll of Honor” for his leadership and academic excellence.
Renowned for his advocacy of justice and equality, Mujtaba played an important role in organizing the influential ‘Shaheen Bagh’ protests against the CAA, further solidifying his commitment to human rights.
While working as an environmental expert, Mujtaba realized that“ the root cause of many challenges lies in human welfare and education”; hence, he decided to shift his career path, but the aim remained the same: helping the world
“After years of working as an environmental expert, I came to realize that while tackling environmental issues is important, the root causes of many challenges stem from broader issues of human welfare and education. My increasing engagement with underserved communities made it evident that empowering the underprivileged through education is essential for driving long-term societal change,” Mujtaba said, while talking to FoEJ Media.
Mujtaba sees this shift as an opportunity for him to directly “break the chain of opportunity.”
“This shift in focus has enabled me to play a direct role in breaking the cycle of poverty, providing children with the same opportunities I had, and working towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all,” Mujtaba stated.
Global Donors Forum
The Global Donors Forum (GDF) is a leading event that brings together philanthropists, social investors, and influential thinkers committed to promoting strategic and impactful giving. Held every two years as the flagship event of the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists (WCMP), GDF has become a powerful platform for channeling both financial and intellectual resources toward solving pressing global and regional issues.
