Renowned Bollywood actor Kader Khan and former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Rajinder Sachar have been conferred the honorary citizenship of the city of Houston.
City Mayor Bill White honoured them with special proclamations certificates at the 17th annual convention of the American
Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI).
In his keynote address, Sachar, who headed the panel that looked into the social, economic and educational status of Muslims in India, said Muslims should not feel any "inferiority complex" in India.
"This great country belongs to all Indians and Muslims should voice their legitimate concerns with complete confidence to achieve their most justified rights. Education is for all and access to education should be provided for all," he said.
US Congressman Nick Lampson and Al Green also saluted AFMI for their mission of eradicating illiteracy and bring the light of education in the lives of millions.
They said rather than dividing the world population on the basis of sects and ethnic background and leaving the masses uninformed, the decision makers of the worlds should take heed from AFMI's efforts of enlightening masses.
Kader Khan said that after looking at AFMI and the passion of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), he has concluded that NRIs have more concern with the issues facing India than the Indians living there.