I have had the privilege of knowing Imran since he began serving as a volunteer Chaplain with the Peel Regional Police Service in 2010. From the very beginning, I frequently saw Imran at various functions and walking through police facilities, taking the time to interact with officers and staff. He was consistently present and available to people on an everyday basis—an essential quality of an effective Chaplain. His approachable manner made it easy for officers to reach out to him in times of need.

Imran’s great sense of humour and natural warmth helped put people at ease, allowing him to create a welcoming and trusting environment. He truly understands the role of a Police Chaplain—not to promote or impose any religion, but to be there for individuals, offering emotional and spiritual support when needed.

In 2018, when Boots On The Ground (BOTG) was launched, I was honoured that Imran accepted a volunteer position as Chaplain. Since then, he has made many valuable contributions to our organization and to the broader First Responder community across Ontario. As a Chaplain with BOTG, Imran regularly writes inspirational messages to our 150 volunteers, attends functions, and participates in training sessions to educate new volunteers about the important role of Chaplains.

Imran also created and presented a webinar on understanding the Muslim faith, which was extremely well received by our volunteers and helped foster inclusivity and awareness. He remains available to all our volunteers and to callers on our peer support helpline 24/7—an invaluable resource for First Responders dealing with moral injuries or crises of faith.

Because of his exceptional ability to connect with people, Imran was nominated to become one of our volunteer instructors for the FBI Resiliency Course, which we now provide to all BOTG volunteers. After completing the intensive three-day program taught by the FBI National Academy, Imran became a qualified instructor for this important training. Imran’s leadership and influence have had a lasting positive impact on our volunteers and, by extension, on First Responders across the province.

Beyond his work with BOTG, Imran continues to devote his life to serving others as an Imam and in numerous volunteer capacities. His leadership through his mosque, including organizing a vaccination clinic during the pandemic, reflects his deep commitment to community well-being.

In closing, Imran’s tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to supporting First Responders and the community at large are truly commendable. He embodies the spirit of service, compassion, and integrity that defines a true community leader.