People in Islam: Khalid Latif — New York Police Officer, Executive Director of NYU Islamic Center, Imam at local masjid, and motivational speaker.

As a native New Yorker who attends a Catholic private college, Khalid Latif was the first person I turned to for inspiration, motivation, and assistance when deciding to establish a Muslim Student Association at school. Even though it did take a while to finally meet up with him (considering his busy schedule), his level of concern was beyond comforting. 

Also known as the Imam or spiritual speaker for the Friday prayers in the basement of a church in downtown Manhattan, Khalid Latif is also a Chaplain for the NYPD. When Muslim students (not only in New York University, but in other universities and local colleges) were threatened by several NYPD officers in terms of security, Khalid Latif arose to not only defend, but to encourage some form of educational awareness by promoting several workshops to keep Muslim students safe. 

It comes as no surprise that Khalid Latif has no conflicting agendas or problematic compromises with regards to being a practicing Muslim along with a Chaplain of the NYPD. As an American Muslim woman, I am proud that Brother Khalid represents the religion of Islam in the way that he does. He is not only a great person to be around and work with, but a wonderful Muslim in all regards. 

To like his page on facebook (which he personally updates), click here. To follow him on twitter, click here. And to listen to his lecture on how “its tough being a girl,” watch here.  Also, to read his Ramadan reflections that are published in the Huffington Post, you can find them here.