Say the name 'Riz Ahmed' to someone and you'll no doubt be inundated with recommendations to watch the actor's latest Netflix series, The Night Of, or listen to his band, Sweat Shop Boys' rap music.

However, after tonight's ELLE Style Awards, we'd urge you to listen to his advice when it comes to empathy, love and understanding.

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Riz, who recently spoke out during a speech at the SAG awards about the need to battle against 'fear and exclusivity,' opened up on US politics and the need for solidarity in times of threat.

He said: 'Personally, I feel those of us who work in the creative industry are in the business of imagination.

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'Right now, the story that seems to have been taking over people's imagination is that we live in an 'us versus them' world. And, we have to push back against that. There's no us versus them, we're all in this together,' he added.

Ahmed also implored people to help him raise money for Syrian refugees via his fundraiser page – which has so far raise $163,00 –, following an executive order by President Trump that currently bans the entry of Syrian refugees and numerous immigrants from entering the US.

We have to push back against that.
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He said: 'The idea of leaving one place to try to survive and flee suffering is a very basic human kind of behaviour we can all relate to. We've all done that on some point in our lives.

'Anything we can do to highlight the plight of others less fortunate than us is very important in these troubled times,' he continued.

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The Star Wars: Rogue One actor revealed his fundraiser ends tomorrow, which is the perfect time for people around the world to show compassion.

'It finishes tomorrow so, show some love on Valentines Day,' he asked.

On accepting his 'TV Actor Of The Year' award at tonight's ceremony, Ahmed expanded on his views about the tumultuous times in politics we're currently witnessing.

He said: 'It's been a weird year. I've been enjoying the access, but, on the other hand, America and England both shot themselves in the face.

'It was a year where I was getting searched like three time instead of two before I got on a plane, but, when I got on the plane, I was on the cover of the inflight magazine. Weird,' he added.

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However, the British native admitted that receiving an award from such a prominent women's magazine was proof of the power of solidarity.

He said: 'Shout out to the women in my life: my amazing sisters, my amazing agent, Kate, you're the best, and my Mum, who isn't here.

'If this award ceremony and the women's march stuff proves one thing, it's that things are better when we organise it. This is the best awards show I've ever been to. Now is the time to stand up for our own people, whatever that means and move beyond that tribalism.

Now is the time to stand up for our own people.

'I'm not well known for attending style awards, but its about being in the room in places you're not comfortable with and making links with people you're not used to. Women can provide that glue. I'll be marching right behind you,' he continued.

A Riz Ahmed feminist march? Now, that's a protest we'd like to attend.