WHEREAS, The Masjidullah Center for Human Excellence located in Northwest Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane neighborhood is one of the largest mosques in the region. The Center hosts a mosque, a school, and is community and business center. But most importantly, it is space for members of the Islamic faith to come together and worship; and
WHEREAS, On February 24, 2023, a suspect was caught on video actively defacing the property by painting various symbols on the doors of the building. Three days later, Officers from the 14th District of the Philadelphia Police Department apprehended a suspect, and he was charged with institutional vandalism, criminal mischief, and two counts of possession of an instrument of crime by the District Attorney’s Office; and
WHEREAS, The Officers of the 14th Police District should be commended for their swift apprehension of a suspect that so brazenly vandalized an institution of faith; and
WHEREAS, At a time where cases of islamophobia is on the rise, acts like this strike at the core of who we are as Philadelphians. This is not the first that that the Masjidullah Center for Human Excellence has been targeted by an attack, and Islamophobic incidents have been on the rise in the Commonwealth. These actions are unacceptable and must be condemned; and
WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia must call out attacks of bigotry perpetuated against its citizens. All Philadelphia’s have the right to worship their religion in safety. Hate has no place in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection; and
WHEREAS, The acts of vandalism and hate against the Masjidullah Center for Human Excellence must be condemned, the heroic and swift actions of the 14th Police District must be commended, and Philadelphia’s Muslim community must be supported and protected in their pursuit to practice their faith; and now therefore be it
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, that it hereby condemns the acts of vandalism that took place at the Masjidullah Center for Human Excellence on February 24, 2023, and further honors the Officers of the 14th Police District for apprehending the suspect.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the 14th Police District and to the Masjidullah Center for Human Excellence as a sign of the respect and admiration of this legislative body.
End