Dr Asif Mahmood, a Pakistani-origin physician, has been unanimously elected chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for the 2026-27 term, the bipartisan federal body announced.
USCIRF monitors religious freedom worldwide and advises the US president, secretary of state and Congress on policies related to international religious freedom. The commission also elected CeCe Heil as its vice chair.
A practicing pulmonologist, human rights advocate and philanthropist, Mahmood has been recognized for his humanitarian work in conflict-affected regions, including Kashmir and Ethiopia’s Tigray region. He also serves as a two-term member of the Medical Board of California, where he advocates for patients’ rights and broader access to healthcare.
I am deeply humbled and honored to serve as Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).It is a remarkable journey—from a small rural village in Pakistan to leading one of the world’s foremost bodies dedicated to defending freedom of religion…
— Dr. Asif Mahmood (@DrMahmood40) July 20, 2026
Following his election, Mahmood said threats to religious freedom continue to grow globally, making USCIRF’s mission of analysing abuses and recommending policy responses increasingly important.
In a post on X, he described his appointment as “a remarkable journey” from a small rural village in Pakistan to leading one of the world’s foremost bodies dedicated to defending freedom of religion or belief. He pledged to champion the rights of people of all faiths, as well as those with no religious affiliation.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Asif Mahmood Elected Chair & CeCe Heil Elected Vice-Chair of Bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedomhttps://t.co/TeseJMO9I0
— USCIRF (@USCIRF) July 20, 2026
Mahmood was first appointed to USCIRF in 2024 by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and reappointed for a second term in 2026. He previously served as the commission’s vice chair and has lived in California since 1999.
Originally from Kharian, Pakistan, he graduated from Sindh Medical College. He moved to the US, completed his pulmonary fellowship at Columbia University’s Harlem Hospital, and is a practicing pulmonologist in Southern California.
