WHEREAS, On December 6, 2015, a severed pig’s head was intentionally thrown out of a vehicle outside of the Al Aqsa Islamic Society mosque in North Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The Quran – the holy book of Islam – prohibit Muslims from eating pork, and pigs are considered insulting to Muslims; and
WHEREAS, Local Police and the FBI are reviewing that heinous act of cultural intimidation and institutional vandalism; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection and the City in which the Declaration of Independence was written, and recognizes and supports its religious pluralism and diversity and holds as self-evident that all people are created equal and endowed with the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is committed to the protection of civil rights and liberties for all of its residents; and
WHEREAS, There are over 2.6 million Muslims in the United States and over 200,000 in the Greater Philadelphia area; and
WHEREAS, Muslim residents live in many of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods and provide various cultural opportunities and are making important contributions in distinguished career fields such as law, medicine, business, teaching, architecture, the arts and more; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,Tthat we hereby support the Philadelphia Muslim Community and condemn the heinous act of cultural intimidation and institutional vandalism that occurred at the Al Aqsa Islamic Society.
RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Marwan Kreidie, Executive Director of the Arab-American Community Development Corporation, evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
End