Muslims in Japan have launched a community outreach program as part of efforts to bridge the gap with locals and counter the perception that Islam is linked with terrorism.
Since late September, about a dozen Muslims who are regular visitors to a mosque in the city of Chiba's Inage Ward began patrolling the area once or twice a month, hoping their contribution to local security helps boost mutual understanding with Japanese residents.
Sultan Mahmud, a 49-year-old Bangladeshi who heads the mosque, said the activity is already beginning to bear fruit. "Since we started patrolling the area, the Japanese news media covered us and local university students visited the mosque to learn about our religion," he said. "We are getting along better with our neighbors, too."