WASHINGTON – Today, Kiran Kaur Gill, the Executive Director of SALDEF was appointed Chair by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas to the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council. Kiran Kaur Gill joins 24 other new members on the Council, an external advisory body providing advice to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“We all have a role to play in protecting our communities and country. In this effort, I am proud to be appointed by Secretary Mayorkas to the DHS Government Faith-Based Security Advisory Council to help prevent, respond to, and recover from acts of targeted violence, terrorism, or other threats” said Kiran Kaur Gill.
“These prominent faith and law enforcement leaders will help us build and strengthen the community
partnerships that are so vital to our mission success,” said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “We will work together to increase access to our services, ensure equity, maintain openness and transparency, and fully restore the trust of the communities we serve.”
The Council will provide organizationally independent, strategic, timely, specific, and actionable advice to the Secretary on diverse homeland security matters. Specifically, the Council’s contributions will enhance the Department’s work to protect houses of worship; improve coordination and information sharing of threat information with the faith community, and through the faith community, within the broader communities in which they serve; increase access to DHS resources by building trust and addressing potential barriers; and prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of targeted violence, terrorism, and other threats.
At this moment in time, our nation and our world are facing new threats that demand new, innovative
solutions. As one of 25 appointed members, Kiran Kaur Gill will advise on strategies and recommendations to help keep faith-based communities and our nation safe.
The Council’s membership reflects President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas’ priorities on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and will ensure a wide range of diverse voices across various faith traditions. The members announced today represent various faith communities and a diversity of denominations, including the Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh communities, as well as law enforcement.
To learn more about the Council, please visit https://www.dhs.gov/faith-based-security-advisory-council.