Silver Thread Honors Sepideh Moafi and Aasif Mandvi

Silver Thread, the entertainment initiative of Muslims for Progressive Values, will honor Emmy-nominated actress Sepideh Moafi and Peabody Award winner Aasif Mandvi at its second annual Silver Thread Emmys Brunch on September 12 in Los Angeles. The event, set to take place from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, brings together industry leaders and cultural innovators to celebrate Muslim-rooted artists and storytellers whose work is expanding the narrative on screen.

Mandvi, known for his incisive comedy and advocacy against Islamophobia, will be recognized for his longstanding impact on the representation of Muslims in American entertainment. His career spans comedy, television, film, and theater, where he has consistently challenged stereotypes and created space for authentic Muslim characters. Mandvi's work includes his groundbreaking role as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, where he frequently confronted anti-Muslim prejudice, and his acclaimed dramatic work, including the series Evil.

Moafi, who recently received her first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi in The Pitt, will also be honored. Her performance marks the first time a Middle Eastern actress has been nominated in this category. Moafi's character, a complex Middle Eastern woman, challenges the one-dimensional portrayals often seen in mainstream American television. Her work in The Pitt reflects the kind of storytelling Silver Thread aims to promote, showcasing a character who exists beyond the expectations placed on Muslim characters.

Ani Zonneveld, Co-Founder of Silver Thread and President of Muslims for Progressive Values, expressed personal gratitude for Mandvi's support and contributions. "In 2011, long before Silver Thread existed, he understood the need for progressive Muslim artists to tell our own stories, and he showed up for us. He wrote the foreword to our anthology and helped us launch it. So honoring him now feels very personal."

Moafi's nomination and recognition come at a defining moment in her career. She is an Iranian-American actor who brings depth and nuance to her roles, portraying a mixed Iranian and Iraqi attending physician whose cultural identity informs her life without defining the entirety of her story. Her work in The Pitt is seen as a significant step in expanding the possibilities for Middle Eastern characters in mainstream American entertainment.

Anna Khaja, Co-Founder of Silver Thread, praised Moafi's work and her commitment to humanitarian causes. "As an actress, I watch her and think, how is she doing that? She's so specific and so completely alive. And then there's who she is outside of all that. She's spent years advocating for refugees and displaced people, raising funds and awareness, and working with the International Rescue Committee. I have enormous admiration for that. To me, that combination of artistry and action is incredibly powerful."

The Silver Thread Cultural Impact Award recognizes artists whose work and leadership expand representation, advance human dignity, and move culture forward. The inaugural award was presented in 2025 to actor Saagar Shaikh for his work on Hulu's Deli Boys. This year, Mandvi and Moafi embody the spirit of the award, embodying extraordinary artists whose work expands what is possible on screen and whose impact reaches well beyond it.