“That night Faraaz refused to be defined as a bengali, he refused to be defined as a muslim. That night Faraaz insisted on being defined as a friend, as a human being. Given a moment's notice, he did not surrender to fear, he did not side with those that peddle hate. He chose love instead.”

“Faraaz is truly my personal inspiration. I am inspired by him every single day. When I'm in the midst of a tough dilemma, a moral dilemma, I now ask myself, what would Faraaz have done in that situation? Does this pass The Faraaz Test?”

“On one of the darkest nights of our nation's history, Faraaz's courage, loyalty & love was the light.”

“Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain, a young 20 year old man, who showed the world that he would not cower in front of the barrel of a gun, but his conviction of his love for his fellow human being was greater than any power that stood in front of him.”

“I think it’s very important that we record in our hearts that the glory of Islam shines through the deeds of Faraaz.”

“A young brave heart, who lost his life because he saw himself as part of a larger humanity and not just a Muslim.”

“When I think of what that young man did, really my faith in humanity surges up. And I put myself in that place, in his place and I wonder whether I would have had the courage to do what he did. He was a believer, he was a practicing Muslim and that to me is really really special, that he showed that a real believer will do the right thing.”

“It was the mother, who built into him the love for humanity and when the terrorists wanted him to go, it was the training that he had at home that he said, ‘No, I will die and live with my friends, not just desert my friends.’ This is the upbringing and I think we all, not only in India, but in the whole world, is proud of that mother.”

“I was honoured to present the award, Mother Teresa Award, to Faraaz Hossain’s memory, to his mother. But as his mother said, he was also a practicing Muslim. It shows that a practicing Muslim and a good upbringing and the inner built humanity in him, all three joined hands to give him the courage to sacrifice his life.”

“Faraaz showed determination, he showed courage of conviction, he demonstrated the highest value of doing what is right.”