The Department of Homeland Security announced 25 new members have been appointed to the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council, with the first meeting scheduled to take place Oct. 6.

The duties of these council members will include advising the secretary on the concerns of the religious community in regard to matters of preparation and safety in all elements of the DHS's mission, according to a Sept. 19 news release.

“These prominent faith and law enforcement leaders will help us build and strengthen the community partnerships that are so vital to our mission success,” Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said in the news release. “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.”

"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," Brenda Abdelall, assistant secretary for partnership and engagement, said in the release.

Namely, the council will strive to strengthen the department's efforts to safeguard religious buildings and coordinate and share threat information among the religious community, the release reported.

According to the release, the members of this council, appointed by Mayorkas, include Chandru Acharya, Imam Mohamed Hagmagid Ali, Salam Al-Marayati, Deputy Chief Tracie Baker, Kimberly Burgo, Rev. Jeffery Cooper, Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland-Tune, Kiran Kaur Gill, Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, Hyepin Im, Curtis Jones, Alberto Martinez, Michael Masters, Sheriff Garry McFadden, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Todd Richins, Mayya Saab, Rev. Gabriel Salguero, Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, Chief Issa Shahin, Imam Talib Shareef, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart and April Wood.