Asif Mahmood Elected Chair & CeCe Heil Elected Vice-Chair of Bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

Asif Mahmood Elected Chair & CeCe Heil Elected Vice-Chair of Bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) unanimously elected Chair, Asif Mahmood, and Vice Chair, CeCe Heil, for the 2026-2027 term.

“Threats to international religious freedom are occurring every day, making USCIRF’s mandate to analyze and recommend policy solutions to the U.S. government key to advancing religious freedom abroad,” said Chair Asif Mahmood. “I am honored to serve as chair alongside Vice Chair CeCe Heil and the other Commissioners as USCIRF continues to advocate for freedom of religion or belief for all.”

Chair Mahmood was first appointed to USCIRF by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) in 2024 and reappointed for a second term in 2026. During his previous term he served as Vice-Chair. He resides in California and is a practicing physician, human rights activist, and philanthropist. 

“Freedom of religion or belief is a universal right for everyone, which is why USCIRF’s bipartisan composition provides a uniquely effective voice to the United States Government to advance international religious freedom for all,” said Vice Chair CeCe Heil. “I look forward to working with my fellow Commissioners not only to highlight the cases of those being denied this right by state and nonstate actors abroad but to make religious freedom a reality for everyone.”

Vice Chair Heil was appointed to USCIRF by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). She is Senior Counsel and International Legal Director for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). She is a human rights attorney who advocates for religious freedom, rule of law, and the protection of vulnerable faith communities worldwide.

USCIRF Commissioners are appointed on a bipartisan basis, three from the President, three from the leadership of the U.S. Senate, and three from the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives. Also serving on the Commission are David A. Anderson, Gunisha Kaur, Rachel Laser, and Gene Mills. Read the Commissioners’ biographies here.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].