Actor and UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) National Goodwill Ambassador Mahira Khan marked World Refugee Day with a powerful message on the meaning of safety. She revealed that her understanding of the concept changed profoundly after meeting refugee families forced to flee their homes.
Mahira Khan’s Message on Safety and Asylum
Sharing a collaborative post with the UNHCR on Instagram, Mahira highlighted the importance of asylum and the life-changing impact of finding safety. The post was accompanied by the caption: "Safety can change what tomorrow looks like." In a video message, she reflected on her encounters with displaced families and the lessons she learned from their experiences.
"Before I met refugee families, I thought I understood what safety meant. I didn't," she said. "Asylum is not an abstract idea. It is the moment everything changes for a family."
Encounter with Afghan Refugee Families in Pakistan
The actor spoke about the Afghan refugee families she has met across Pakistan, describing the challenges they faced after being forced to leave their homes and rebuild their lives from scratch. "I have met Afghan refugee families in Pakistan who were forced to leave their homes and rebuild their lives from nothing," she said.
Mahira also highlighted the resilience she witnessed among refugee communities, particularly parents and young people striving to create a better future despite difficult circumstances. "Parents working every day to give their children a future. Young people determined to continue their education. Families holding on to hope, even after everything was lost," she said.
Resilience and Hope Amid Hardship
Reflecting on those encounters, she said she had seen remarkable strength in communities facing immense hardship. "I have seen resilience in places where life has been incredibly hard. I have seen how safety can change what tomorrow looks like," she said. Emphasising that displacement is not a choice, Mahira added: "No one chooses to become a refugee."
Call for Empathy and Solidarity
Concluding her World Refugee Day message, the actor called for greater empathy and solidarity with displaced families around the world. "This World Refugee Day, let us remember that when one family finds safety, we all share in a more hopeful future, until everyone is safe," she said.
Mahira has served as a UNHCR National Goodwill Ambassador since 2019, using her platform to advocate for refugees and raise awareness about their experiences and challenges.
