NYU's Muslim chaplain, Khalid Latif, has been newly appointed as the New York Police Department's Muslim chaplain, NYPD officials said at a press conference yesterday.
The appointment comes after weeks of speculation that Latif may leave the university to accept job offers at either Yale University or Harvard University. Latif plans to retain his position as NYU's Muslim chaplain.
Latif said he accepted the job with the NYPD because it was part time, and allowed him to remain affiliated with NYU and remain in New York City. He said he didn't want to leave because he enjoyed the diverse environment provided by the city.
"The diversity in the city is not like anywhere else. All the traditional and cultural backgrounds - male, female, young, old - I feel is indicative of what the NYPD stands for as an institution," Latif said. "It is a reflection of that diversity as is NYU. You do have a lot of opportunity to create dialogue and not neglect that which is different."
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said at the press conference that the department selected Latif after an extensive search based on his numerous qualifications and previous work experience.
Though he didn't know the exact number of Muslim NYPD members, Kelly said it is in the thousands.
"It's only fitting that we make sure we have the best chaplains available to provide spiritual support and counseling," Kelly said. "Khalid Latif fits that definition and is an outstanding addition to the police department."
Latif will replace Izak-El M. Pasha, who served as the NYPD's first Muslim chaplain.
An NYU graduate with a degree in Middle Eastern studies, Latif is currently working on his master's degree in Islamic chaplaincy at the Hartford Theological Seminary, while serving as a Muslim chaplain at both NYU and Princeton University.
Salaries for religious staff at NYU are not paid - but guaranteed - by the university, NYU spokeswoman Kelly Franklin said, adding that NYU helps religious organizations fund-raise for the salaries. Latif said his current position at NYU provides a stipend that is raised by the Islamic Center with help from the university.
Approximately 1,000 Muslim students utilize NYU's Islamic Center, Franklin said.
She added the university is not concerned that Latif's many obligations would interfere with his work at NYU.
"People respect and want to have him involved," Franklin said. "We'll do what we can to make it work, and are confident he can find a balance."
Although his numerous jobs will be overwhelming, Latif said he thinks it will be manageable because he enjoys what he does.
"If I was doing three jobs I hated, it would be a lot more painful and a lot harder to accomplish," Latif said. "It's work I love doing and I'm interacting with people, some of the most genuine and sincere I've ever met, and that makes it that much easier."
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