By The ReligionStars Team – Modified on: 18 May 2026
Kash Patel, whose full name is Kashyap Pramod Patel, was born on February 25, 1980, in Garden City. The son of Indian immigrants of Gujarati origin, he grew up in Queens and then on Long Island, in New York State. Trained in law, he notably worked as a federal prosecutor and as an adviser within the U.S. administration before being appointed, in 2025, as the 9th director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under the presidency of Donald Trump. A prominent public figure, Kash Patel is also known for having openly embraced his religious identity, particularly during his official swearing-in as head of the FBI.
Kash Patel was raised in the Hindu faith by his parents, Indian immigrants of Gujarati ancestry. Several reliable sources, including Britannica and Wikipedia, indicate that religion held an important place in his family environment. The family regularly went to the temple and had, at home, a room dedicated to a shrine, where prayers were recited together every day.
Patel himself has spoken fondly of these childhood memories, particularly the celebrations of Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Navratri. Alongside this faith, his parents also passed on to him values related to hard work, perseverance, and the importance of education. He readily presents himself as the son of “working-class Indian immigrants” and credits his parents with encouraging him to remain attentive to both his religion and his cultural heritage.
His religious upbringing is therefore clearly documented and confirmed by several independent sources.
Beyond his childhood, Kash Patel is also described in adulthood as a “devout Hindu.” This description is not based solely on his own statements. During his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate, Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who officially introduced him, stated: “Kash is a devout Hindu, and in keeping with his faith, he has shown respect to people of all faiths.”
The most symbolic moment of this public expression of his faith remains his swearing-in as director of the FBI in February 2025. Kash Patel took the oath on the Bhagavad Gita, one of the major sacred texts of Hinduism, held by his partner Alexis Wilkins. His family was also by his side during the ceremony. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) welcomed the event, congratulating him on becoming the first Hindu American to lead the FBI.
This gesture, both voluntary and public, shows that his Hindu identity is not merely a matter of family heritage: it is also part of the personal and professional image he publicly embraces.
Kash Patel's religion is not publicly known. To date, Kash Patel has never officially discussed his or her religious beliefs.