Dr Hoti’s book “Gems and Jewels” about the ten religious communities of Pakistan was used as the inspiration and blueprint for a Cambridge foundation course
Dr Amineh Hoti Reveals the Secret to Peace in a Divided World
On June 20 th, 2026, Dr Amineh Hoti, an outstanding scholar-author-academic with extensive experience in curriculum development, gave a scintillating talk at the Gandhi Memorial Center Library in Washington. Her illuminating presentation focused on a nuanced and deeply human exploration of South Asia’s religious landscape spotlighting the spiritual traditions that have shaped its culture and social fabric.
Dr Hoti spoke calmly and compassionately on the 10 religions of Pakistan featured in her book ‘Gems and Jewels’. She furnished insights into each one. Talking of Hinduism, for instance, she mentioned the holy site of Katras Raj Lake, which was formed from the tears of Shiva in mythology.
It was a packed audience and they listened in pindrop silence. They burst into spontaneous applause after the lecture and expressed deep appreciation for the talk. Sitting in the audience was the distinguished Pakistani intellectual and author Mowahid Hussain Shah. He spoke warmly describing the lecture as “magnificent, excellent and a smash.” He said to see a Pakistani female speaking at the Gandhi Center at this time of tensions between India and Pakistan, and to be received so positively was a sign of building bridges with courage and compassion. Mowahid applauded the historic nature of the event. He described his own visit to Katras Raj Lake when he escorted Mr Advani, one of the leaders of the BJP party visiting Pakistan, which softened his attitude to Pakistan.
In a related message, Professor Raj Mohan Gandhi, distinguished intellectual and grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, paid a glowing tribute to Dr Hoti with the edifying comment: “How wonderful! My salute to Dr Amineh on the impact of her work and the response she is receiving. She and her father are providing what is needed at this unhappy hour in our world's journey. In grateful solidarity, Raj.”
Dr Hoti is the daughter of Dr Akbar Ahmed, distinguished academic, diplomat, anthropologist, poet, film producer, and scholar.
She herself is a social anthropologist trained with a PhD in anthropology at the University of Cambridge, UK. Her work bridges scholarship, policy, and peacebuilding. She is an honorary Professor at Nottingham University and is a Fellow Commoner at Lucy Cavendish College, the University of Cambridge, UK. She has lectured and taught at leading institutions including the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, and Georgetown. She has talked at the White House Interfaith Conference and collaborated with the United Nations on genocide prevention and cross-cultural dialogue initiatives. She was Governor at St Mary’s Senior School, Cambridge, UK and Program Director Seerat at the Higher Education Commission (HEC, Pakistan). Dr Hoti is also founding Director of two interfaith centres in Cambridge including the Centre for the Study of Muslim-Jewish Relations.
Dr Hoti’s book “Gems and Jewels” about the ten religious communities of Pakistan, was used as the inspiration and blueprint for a Cambridge foundation course. The book is a mosaic of areas of South Asia, a place where multiple traditions, histories, and identities intersect, challenge, and enrich one another. Her work combines rigorous field research with practical engagement, making her a compelling voice on intercultural understanding and peacebuilding in an era of global uncertainty. Drawing on her training at the University of Cambridge and her fieldwork across diverse communities, she moves beyond headlines to reveal lived faith, coexistence, and the moral imagination of ordinary people from different faiths.
