OTTAWA — Capt. Suleyman Demiray graduated from basic training Wednesday, becoming the first Muslim chaplain in the Canadian Forces.

The 37-year-old, a former Imam of the Turkish Mosque in Ottawa, will be posted to a support battalion in Edmonton. Demiray said he became interested in a military career after he took part in a project to set up the national military cemetery in Ottawa.

"I met a couple of padres and I learned that there are openings for other faith groups."

The military for years relied on Roman Catholic priests and mainstream Protestant ministers to fill the chaplain ranks, but is now expanding its horizons.

While there's no pressing need for a Muslim padre - there are only about 200 Muslims in the military - bringing Demiray in will make the Forces more inclusive, said Col. Stan Johnstone of the Chaplain-General's office.

"We want to more clearly reflect the makeup of (Canadian) society," he said.

The colonel pointed out that Demiray's class included the first Salvation Army chaplain since the Second World War and the first padre from the Evangelical Free Church of Canada.

"We've had no problem recruiting from the smaller denominations within the country," he said. "We have good representation."

There are only a handful of Jewish soldiers in the Forces and no Jewish padres, but Johnstone said there could be one chaplain soon.

"I understand that there has been some interest expressed."

There are about a dozen different creeds represented in the chaplains' corps.

The new padre joins a corps with about 170 regulars and 145 reservists serving across the country and with missions abroad.

Demiray said he feels he has taken a new step in his spiritual journey through life.

"It is good in my ministry . . . to become a military chaplain and also to serve my country in a better way."

He said he'll have a chance to minister to soldiers of all faiths, not just Muslims.

"The chaplain branch is really very open-minded and a good team. They are quite welcoming and supportive."

Demiray said he found the 14-week basic training course a challenge. Recruits must pass physical fitness tests, from running to swimming.

"Basic training is really quite a challenge with lots of demanding courses. I really appreciated at the end the goal I had reached."