Indianapolis: A Mumbai-born Muslim police officer is the security in-charge of the largest Hindu temple in the Indianapolis city of US, setting an example of inter-faith cooperation and social harmony at a time when religious intolerance rhetoric is on the rise due to the election cycle.
An eight-degree black-belt in Taekwondo and a kick boxing champion, Lt Javed Khan from the local police department is director of security at the Hindu temple in Indianapolis.
For hundreds of visitors thronging the temple daily, in particularly over the weekend, Mr Khan, who was born in Mumbai and raised in Lonavla, Pune, is now considered a part and parcel of the Hindu temple.
"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," Mr Khan told PTI in a phone interview from Indianapolis.
"We are Indians. Half my family is Hindu. I do not believe in Hindu-Muslim thing," he said.
"I am just doing my duty. I am not doing anything special or extraordinary," Khan said when asked for an interview.
Mr Khan settled in Indiana in 2001, a year after he migrated to the United States. He had been coming to the US since 1986 for participating in various martial arts championship.
Mr Khan said it all started a few years ago, when he married his daughter to a Telugu boy at this Hindu temple, after which he started knowing people at the temple.
Soon, 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."
"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," Indiana Governor Mike Pence had said in a message in June last year at the time of the formal opening of the temple built at an estimated cost of USD 10 million. Pence is now the vice presidential candidate of the Republican party.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An eight-degree black-belt in Taekwondo and a kick boxing champion, Lt Javed Khan from the local police department is director of security at the Hindu temple in Indianapolis.
For hundreds of visitors thronging the temple daily, in particularly over the weekend, Mr Khan, who was born in Mumbai and raised in Lonavla, Pune, is now considered a part and parcel of the Hindu temple.
"We are Indians. Half my family is Hindu. I do not believe in Hindu-Muslim thing," he said.
Advertisement
Mr Khan settled in Indiana in 2001, a year after he migrated to the United States. He had been coming to the US since 1986 for participating in various martial arts championship.
Advertisement
Soon, 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."
Advertisement
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Homeless Man, Carrying Knives, Shot Dead By Cops Outside Republican Event 4 Top Leaders Quit Ajit Pawar's Party In Major Setback After Poll Drubbing Karnataka's 100% Quota Bill For Kannadigas In Private Firms For These Posts Watch: Sun Unleashes Powerful Solar Flare, Australia And Japan Hit Mumbai University Invites Applications For MCA And MMS Courses Homeless Man, Carrying Knives, Shot Dead By Cops Outside Republican Event Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.