PHILADELPHIA — The caretaker at a Philadelphia mosque said he found a severed pig’s head on the sidewalk, and police were investigating whether someone may have thrown it out a car window.
Severed pig’s head found outside Philadelphia mosque (VIDEO) https://t.co/FGvapFIxui pic.twitter.com/oRxNuQ8USm
— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) December 8, 2015
The caretaker told police he found the head near the door of the Al Aqsa Islamic Society when he arrived around 6 a.m. Monday.
Police said surveillance video shows a red pickup slowing down in front of the mosque on Sunday night. The truck then circles the block and an object was thrown from the passenger window as the vehicle passes a second time.
Discovery of pig’s head outside Philly mosque sparks police investigation: https://t.co/Ew7LPeFQDK pic.twitter.com/YYhTjsCX6z
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) December 7, 2015
The Quran, the holy book of Islam, prohibits Muslims from eating pork, and pigs have been used to taunt or offend Muslims. Last year, attackers in Greece placed a severed pig’s head and painted anti-Muslim slogans outside an Islamic studies center in Athens.
Severed pig’s head thrown at #mosque door in Philadelphia. https://t.co/fKrQQzLyAO pic.twitter.com/bZpmCKBKpe
— Jeff Letourneau (@jeffl76) December 8, 2015
The incident in Philadelphia was condemned by Mayor-elect Jim Kenney.
“The bigotry that desecrated Al-Aqsa mosque today has no place in Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection has a long history of coming together in the face of challenge,” Kenney said in a statement Monday night.
