Advertisement First Muslim police Captain in Boston working to educate people about his religion and unite community Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Just after sunrise, at an outdoor prayer service in Boston to mark the final day of the holy month of Ramadan, Muslim leaders and the mayor issued a call for peace after recent terrorist attacks.Watch the report"The tragic shootings in Orlando. That was a devastation to this country, and it shocked us," said Imam Shaykh Yasir Fahmy."I'm here to pray with you, to support you," Mayor Walsh told the crowd. "I want you to know that we stand with you."Among the hundreds praying was Boston Police Captain Haseeb Hosein."It's very reassuring, very comforting, being able to provide security, being able to pray. It just shows you how warm and welcoming the people of Boston are to different faiths," he said after the service.Two years ago, Commissioner William Evans promoted then-Lieutenant Hosein to the rank of Captain at his mosque, the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center. The crowd cheered as Captain Hosein was given his badge, to become the first Muslim Captain in Boston Police Department history.He was assigned to lead District B-3, the police station in Mattapan, one of the busiest in the city, where he remains today."My approach is relationship building. To let the public know that we are warm, we are welcoming. We are just here to provide a service," he told WCVB's Karen Anderson during a recent visit.He says his first priority was to introduce himself to the residents and businesses in his district. "I would walk the streets. I would go to every single community meeting. I would go to Church on Sunday, introduce myself to the congregation, tell them we are here to serve."We asked what he believes it means for the Muslim community to know that he is in a leadership position at the Boston Police Department. He said, "It's very reassuring, in the environment we are in. With a lot of people with Muslim names doing terrorist acts, the environment is difficult for them."Those attacks, the Marathon Bombings and the attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, were designed to terrorize and divide.We asked Captain Hosein what it is like for him when he hears about an attacker saying their violence in the name of his religion. "Any violent act, I just cringe at. I'm like, 'Please God, don't let it be a Muslim in name only. Because these are bad people, they do not represent Islam,'" Captain Hosein explained. "So it's frustrating and you're always on edge."Captain Hosein moved to Boston from Trinidad when he was 10-years-old. He was raised in Boston, served in the Marines, and has been a police officer for 28 years. He's the father of two daughters and one son, and prays 5 times a day.Captain Hosein says it's disheartening to hear politicians call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States. "America is the greatest country in the world. Lines at every embassy in the world are long, wanting to come here, wanting the American dream, wanting the safety, wanting the opportunities this country provides," he said. "A country that is built of immigrants, to hear politicians play on people's fear, it hurts."He continued, "They want to be elected on dividing America, and the beauty of America is that we come together. We rally around the flag, we rally around our fellow Americans."Hosein takes great pride in his role as a bridge between the police department and the Muslim community.His message to everyone in the city is: "We're here for them. There should be no fear of approaching the police."When the thinks about his journey and achievements, he smiles. "I'm humbled, I'm really humbled."