New York, March 14, 2006 – Chief Douglas Zeigler, accompanied by Officer Ahmad Nassir and a Detective from One Police Plaza paid a visit to Imam Al-Khoei Foundation and Al-Iman school. The visit was arranged by Muhammad Rizvi of COPO and Syed Meesam Razvi of The Al-Khoei Foundation.
Chief Zeigler addressed Al-Iman School students from grades 8 to 12 in the presence of the Principal, Seyyid Reza Naqvi. Chief Zeigler enlightened the students on Police work, recruitment drive, benefits of working with NYPD and need for diversity in the Police Force. He stressed that it would be a two-way learning experience for students who would be familiarized with police work and for the Police who would be educated about different culture and faith communities. He praised Officer Ahmad Nassir’s efforts to enlighten NYPD on Muslim culture and faith.
Chief Zeigler fielded questions from the students and pointed out that he did not need to travel the world to learn about different people, but that New York City was so diverse that he has learnt a lot locally. He assured everyone that NYPD adapts to different cultures and faiths. He acknowledged that there might be some officers who just did not want to understand others and hence their attitudes, but the majority of New York’s Finest were friendly and accommodating and helpful. His remark that an individual can change only if he personally wishes to change echoes Qur’anic verse that says: Allah SWT does not change a people until the individuals change themselves. He raised the possibility of establishing a Law Enforcement Academy at the School and get students to join the Explorer Unit that leads to Cadets (at age 21) and then to Police officer.
Chief Zeigler and his entourage also then sat down in a meeting with the Principal, Seyyid Reza Naqvi, UN Representative Syed Meesam Razvi, Dr Muhsin Alidina, Imam’s Assistant and Seyyid Muhammad Rizvi of COPO. The disruption of Ashura Procession of February 5 by Islamic Thinkers’ Group was brought up and the Chief assured the meeting that the group would be scrutinized and their web-site investigated for possible hints of hate-crime. Earlier it was brought to the attention of the Chief that in a an emotionally-charged mourning procession, a small untoward incident could provoke passions and things can turn ugly, a situation which the Shi’a community studiously wishes to avoid and hence its efforts to reach out to ICNA and CAIR, among others, to put a stop to the Islamic Thinkers’ provocative forays into processions.
Other issues discussed included possibility of making 90th Avenue and 139 street into one-way street to prevent accidents especially since the school was operating in The Foundation. While this is not within the jurisdiction of NYPD, the Chief, however, promised to help pursue it with the appropriate authorities. The possibility of the Police Commissioner visiting the Foundation and addressing the community was also discussed and the matter will be followed up at both ends.
On hate-crimes, COPO’s Muhammad Razvi presented a report to Chief Zeigler and showed how despite a huge percentage of hate-crimes since 9/11, very few were reported out of fear of deportation or harassment.
Chief Zeigler expressed his appreciation for being able to speak to the students and was taken on a tour of The Foundation.
Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, established by Grand Ayatollah Al-Khoei (RA) in 1989, is the largest Shi'a Muslim religious-charitable organization. The Foundation has more than 15 branches all across the world, where it is responsible for the maintenance of Schools, Colleges, Universities and Islamic Centers.The Foundation is the only Shi'a Muslim organization that enjoys a General Consultative Status with United Nations.
