NEW YORK – A Pakistani-American has become the first-ever Muslim to join New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Emergency Services Unit.

The news was announced by NYPD Muslim Officers Society on Twitter, The Express Tribune reported on Thursday, March 30.

In its tweet, NYPD Muslim Officers Society, said, “Sgt. Ali Javed making history by becoming the first Muslim American and first Pakistani American to join the elite NYPD ESU protecting New York city, USA.”

Sgt. Ali Javed making history by becoming the 1st #MuslimAmerican 1st #Pakistani #American to join the elite #NYPD #ESU protecting #NYC #USA pic.twitter.com/wFevYRTw87

— NYPDMOS (@NYPDMuslim) March 30, 2017

Earlier this week, a Pakistani-American Muslim surgeon was awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor in the United States for his services to the “less fortunate”.

The Ellis Island Medals of Honor “recognizes individuals who have made it their mission to share with those less fortunate their wealth of knowledge, indomitable courage, boundless compassion, unique talents and selfless generosity; all while maintaining the traditions of their ethnic heritage as they uphold the ideals and spirit of America.”

Past medalists include seven US presidents, several world leaders and two Nobel Prize winners.

Dr Adil Haider, an alumnus of Aga Khan University and Johns Hopkins University, said he was very humbled to have been bestowed the honor.

“There are certainly many others who deserve this far more than me and I am just lucky to have been recognized. Only in America is this possible,” Dr. Haider said in a Facebook post.