Rabat – US has appointed a Muslim police chief for the city of Paterson, New Jersey, earlier this month.
Ibrahim “Mike” Baycora is the city of Paterson’s first Turkish-American and Muslim police chief, Anadolu Agency reported.
A video shows the security personnel putting his left hand on Quran to swear in during a ceremony at city hall has gone viral.
The 60-year old chief has been serving at Paterson’s police department for over three decades.
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Proud of the promotion, Baycora said he considers Paterson as his home “for the better part of a half a century.”
“Paterson has been in my blood my whole life, and now to be its police chief after a 32-year career — what an honor!”
He said he does not think that his religio will make a difference.
“But my background does, being a first generation immigrant. People often tend to relax and they feel like they’ll be treated fairly. Especially if they feel like they’re from a marginalized group,” he stressed.
He said he is so happy and blessed.
“In this country there is opportunity. It does not matter where you come from.”
A 2017 study from Pew Research shows that the US is “home to an estimated 3.45 million Muslims of all ages.”
The number represents 1.1 % of the total US population.
