(RNS) The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions announced Tuesday (Nov. 10) that a Chicago imam has been elected as its new chair, marking the first time a Muslim spiritual leader has led the prominent interfaith organization.

Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, executive producer of a daily Muslim radio call-in talk show in Chicago, was elected chair at a board meeting in October.

The announcement of his election comes at a time of tension for U.S. Muslims,after a Muslim suspect was accused of killing 13 people on Thursday (Nov. 5) at Fort Hood in Texas. Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is also accused of wounding dozens more people in the attack.

Mujahid addressed the tragedy during a sermon at the Downtown Islamic Center in Chicago on Friday when he encouraged members to find ways to “strengthen society where saving lives is paramount,” the Chicago Tribune reported.

“You know the mixed feelings we have,” said Mujahid, who serves as a volunteer spiritual leader at the mosque. “We oppose wars, but we never take lives into our own hand.”

Mujahid, who currently is vice chair of the council, succeeds the Rev. William E. Lesher, who has been chair since 2003.

Mujahid will begin his term on Jan. 1, shortly after the council oversees the Dec. 3-9 gathering of the parliament in Melbourne, Australia.