A Muslim police officer in Indianapolis is setting an example by taking charge of the security of a Hindu temple in the city. According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), Lt Javed Khan from the local police department is the security chief of the Hindu temple in Indianapolis.
Khan was born in Mumbai and migrated to the US in 2000 and settled in Indiana after a year. He holds an eighth-degree black belt in Taekwondo and is a kickboxing champion.
“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,” Khan told PTI.
“We are Indians. Half my family is Hindu. I do not believe in a Hindu-Muslim thing,” he added.
While others find it a rare thing to have a Muslim man as the chief of security of a Hindu temple, Khan takes it as his duty and for him, there is nothing extraordinary about it.
A martial arts trainer, Khan felt the need of beefing up the security of the temple when the marriage function of his daughter was convened at the temple. He then approached the temple authorities and offered his service.
Being one of the prominent cultural centers in the city, hundreds of people visit the temple daily. Well-known personalities including the top state leaders attend the special ceremonies held at the temple.
The devotees also consider him as an integral part of the temple. “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.” said noted Indian American Dr. Mohan Razdan.
A creator of numerous self-defense programs, Khan has over twenty years of experience in martial arts training and has trained several military personnel, police officers, film stars, and models.