Pakistani humanitarian Arif Anis makes King Charles birthday honour list

A Pakistani author and humanitarian, Arif Anis, has been officially honoured in King Charles III's first birthday honours list. Buckingham Palace released King Charles' first Official Birthday Honours List, with a wide variety of celebrities and outstanding individuals who have been honoured by the British monarch for their meritorious services. Celebrated Pakistani author, leadership expert and Express Bureau Chief Arif Anis has been granted the Honour of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for humanitarian services.  Anis,during March 2020 when the world was gripped by the coronavirus pandemic, started One Million Meals to support those on the frontlines of the pandemic. The initiative was started by Anis and his two friends, Suleman Raza and Bilal Saqib. "The National Health Service UK was fighting a war! Restaurants shut, and staff were running on empty. I was gobsmacked seeing ambulance crews without food. I knew I had to do something," recalls Anis.   Celebrities including David Beckham, Amir Khan, and The Proclaimers rallied behind the cause. Between April and July 2020, the initiative provided meals to the vulnerable and key workers. Arif beams with pride, “Covid-19 was a kick in the teeth, but we banded together! There were tears in the eyes of doctors and nurses. We made them feel valued. One Million Meals turned into a tidal wave of love. Suleman was the first one to commit his support and the rest followed.” Restaurants of every stripe - Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, Afro-Caribbean - hopped on the gravy train. Even Boris Johnson tipped his hat to One Million Meals with the Points of Light Award in May 2021. Anis is also a best-selling author, leadership guru, and coach to Fortune 500 big shots. He’s a whirlwind on the global stage working with a few of the most influential people in the world, speaking on crisis leadership. “His Majesty was ecstatic about what One Million Meals achieved. ‘How interesting and how inspiring in such dark times,’ The King said in his typical style.” The One Million Meals campaign extended its reach to 203 locations, including NHS trusts and hospitals.  “One Million Meals stood for diversity. Heritages, languages, and cultures united in purpose,” muses Arif. “We delivered solace and sustenance to our frontline heroes. Our meals became their lifelines. It was just a rallying battle cry that the humanity won’t surrender in the face of adversity.” King Charles' first Official Birthday Honours List includes 6% recipients from Asian backgrounds.