A Pakistani-American police officer has been selected to head the New York Police Department’s volunteer force.
Nasir Saleem, a 30-year-old veteran of the New York police, became the first Pakistani and Muslim to be appointed as the auxiliary deputy chief of the nearly 5,000-strong force. “It’s a great honour […] I am speechless. I dedicate my new title to Pakistan,” said Saleem speaking to reporters after taken the oath of office on Tuesday.
Is his appointment a token of America becoming more tolerant or is it job given to him on merit?
The latter seems more likely. America doesn’t really has a tolerant history when it comes to Muslims. Islamophobia is very much prevalent there. Though we’d like to think that United States is becoming tolerant, we also know that this is process which will take decades.