LAPD Names First Islamic Chaplain
In an effort to reach out to local Muslims, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) recently appointed its first Islamic chaplain.
Sheik Qazi Asad, a 47-year-old Pakistani-born U.S. citizen who has lived in Los Angeles for more than 23 years, became an official reserve chaplain at the LAPD’s North Hollywood station last week. Though his new role only requires a minimum of eight hours a month of voluntary service, both Asad and LAPD leaders hope the move will help build bridges between law enforcement and local Muslim communities.
“We need to establish very good communication … where both parties are talking to each other,” Asad said. “This is just opening up the door.”
After serving as an informal spiritual adviser within various Los Angeles Muslim communities for several years, Asad first began volunteering with local law enforcement following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. By that time, however, he had already established a relationship with Los Angeles County Sherriff Lee Baca from the two meeting at various events for community leaders and elected officials. Baca says he wasn’t surprised when the LAPD asked Asad to come on board, and other authorities have stressed the importance of his involvement given the city’s growing Islamic population—and the fact that Muslims currently comprise only 1 percent of Los Angeles’ 10,000-officer police force.
“Officers don’t know about Islam or Muslim communities in Los Angeles,” said Lt. Mark Stainbrook, who directs the LAPD’s community outreach for its counter-terrorism agency. “He’s going to be a person who can educate them to that.” [latimes.com, 6/29/09]
(Source: Charisma online)
