Washington, D.C. (Commonwealth Union)_ Indian-American community leader Chandru Acharya has been named to the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to a press release, Acharya is the only Hindu in this group of 25 prominent religious leaders from the United States. In addition, he is highly recognized in the Hindu-American community and interfaith forums for his efforts to establish bridges across diverse religious communities through negotiations and peace initiatives.
Acharya grew up in India and currently resides in Canton with his wife Smita and their two adolescent children. He serves as the president of Imetris Corporation, which is an IT consulting and services firm located in Saline, Michigan. He also teaches yoga and coaches football players. At Canton’s Hindu Temple Balagokulam, he teaches Hindu history, tradition and culture, and is frequently requested to give lectures about Hinduism at nearby schools and universities.
As an interfaith activist, he is involved in the local Interfaith Community Outreach Group and is a member of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Detroit and the South Asian American Voices for Impact boards. Additionally, he has been actively associated with several community organizations that promote social fairness and multiculturalism on a local and national scale for more than two decades. The Faith-Based Security Advisory Council advises the Secretary and other senior authorities on subjects pertaining to securing places of worship, enhancing collaboration with the faith community, and ensuring preparedness.
According to Brenda Abdelall, Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, this Council is an essential means for the Department to engage officially with key partners on challenges affecting religious groups. “Members of the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council will provide valuable insight that will benefit our stakeholders nationwide on important issues within the scope of the Department’s mission,” she said.
