Akhtar received the honour for critical thinking, holding religious dogma upto scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values.

"I am deeply honoured to receive the Richard Dawkins Award 2020. I have admired Richard Dawkins ever since I read his first book ‘The Selfish Gene'. I have since then read every book of his and ‘The God Delusion' is my absolute favourite," said Akhtar.

"To have my name included in the distinguished list of the previous recipients such as Bill Maher and Christoper Hitchens is fulfilment of a dream I had not even seen," he added.

Be it on social media or at sessions in different cities, Akhtar has been vocal about topics like CAA and Islamophobia.