Late Sunday evening, a red pickup truck drove by Al-Aqsa Islamic Society mosque in North Philadelphia and an unknown person threw a “cooked pig’s head” toward the building.
Tuesday afternoon Mayor Nutter held a news conference with various city and religious leaders to condemn the anti-Muslim activities that have occurred here and across the nation.
Rev. Ruben Ortiz, Esperanza’s Director of National Programs, attended the conference on behalf of the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity in support of Imam Shehata.
Dear Imam Shehata,
On behalf of Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity we share our sentiments and support of you as well as the Muslim community.
We reject the despicable act committed at the doorstep of the Al Aqsa Mosque on Monday morning. We live, worship and work in diverse neighborhoods in this City of Brotherly Love. We insist on peaceful coexistence and oppose any form of intimidation or other acts intended to incite anger and/or violence. This type of institutional vandalism has no place in our community.
We come alongside of you in prayer and solidarity during this time.
Warm regards,
Rev. Luis Cortés Jr.
President Emeritus of Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity
Rev. Rubén Ortiz
Executive Director, Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity