Setting an example of social harmony and inter- faith cooperation at a time when religious intolerance rhetoric is on the rise due to the election cycle across the US, a Indian-origin Muslim police officer is the security in-charge of the largest Hindu temple in the Indianapolis city of United States.
Mumbai-born Lt Javed Khan is an eight-degree black-belt in Taekwondo and a kick boxing champion. He is director of security at the Hindu temple in Indianapolis from the local police department.
Mr. Khan is now considered a part and parcel of the Hindu temple. Hundreds of visitors visit the temple daily, particularly over the weekend.
PTI reported, Khan said that, "My message is this, we are all one. We are all the children of God. There is only one God and then there are different forms and names, we choose to worship."
"We are Indians. Half my family is Hindu. I do not believe in Hindu-Muslim thing," Khan said.
"I am just doing my duty. I am not doing anything special or extraordinary," he said.
"I felt there is need over there for protection. Then I offered my services. I am director of security for the temple now. While the temple has been in existence for the past several years, its formal opening ceremony Kumbhabhishekam was held last year, which was attended by top state leaders," he said.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence had said in June last year at the time of the formal opening of the temple, that, "Your place of worship adds another significant landmark to the city of Indianapolis and I am certain that it will play a key role in enriching the cultural heritage of our state, as well as, the learning and spiritual growth of its devotees and visitors."
While sharing his experience, Khan said that, "Whenever, I go to temple, I do not even feel I am in America. I feel I am in India."
"We have some great people here. People are nice," said Khan.
Ravi Pattar, chairman of temple Board of Trustees, said that, "He (Khan) provides us security on the weekends and at major events." "He has been deputed by the police department," Pattar said.
Dr Mohan Razdan, an eminent Indian-American who played a key role in the construction of the temple, said that, "This is very refreshing. He takes a very keen interest in providing security to the temple." "Everybody knows him in the temple and respects him," he said. "This (a Muslim protecting a temple) is unheard of in this day and time. It sends a strong message," Razdan said.
Nandini
