PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Religious and political leaders gathered at the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center on Wednesday to express their support as the center attempts to recover from an apparent arson attack over the holiday weekend.
Just a few feet from where someone set fire to the porch of the masjid and mosque at the center on Tyson Avenue, dozens of imams, rabbis, pastors and local legislators condemned the early Sunday morning attack.
“We are grateful that no one was injured, but we know we now face the unexpected challenges of the rebuilding,” said Masukul Islam Khan, president of the masjid.
“We are here to affirm that religious liberty will not die, religious liberty will not be stifled, and we'll continue to do the work that we need to do,” said Imam Quaiser Abdullah, director of the Mayor’s Office of Muslim Engagement.
“We, many of us, gathered at the National Constitution Center to honor and acknowledge Pope Leo XIV, and we presented him with the Liberty Medal, and we gathered there to recognize and to commemorate this religious liberty, and less than 48 hours later, someone actually attacked that religious liberty.”
Video shared by CAIR-Philadelphia this week showed a man walking up to the building, lighting a bag, and throwing it inside. He then walked away.
Philadelphia City Commissioners Chair Omar Sabir pledged $2,500 toward the reward offered by federal authorities and the Council of American Islamic Relations-Philadelphia for information leading to a conviction.
That’s in addition to a $2,500 reward from the Philly chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations and a $5,000 reward from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“If you saw something, know something, come forward and contact the Philadelphia Police Department,” Sabir urged.
Meanwhile, the facility is accepting donations to help rebuild through GoFundMe.
Khan took the time to single out a neighbor, not present at the rally, who called 911 on Sunday when she saw what happened, calling her “our angel.” He also spoke of how the center has been a second home for many in the community.
“Families and children come here to pray and find peace. What happened there is heartbreaking,” he said. “Hate will not divide our community.”
