(Philadelphia Inquirer) The children who recited a violent poem in Arabic and performed choreography to a song referencing the “blood of martyrs” last month at a North Philadelphia mosque did not understand the words’ meaning, and the volunteer aide who made those selections has left the private academy based there, according to a statement released Wednesday by mosque and school leaders.
Officials of the Muslim American Society (MAS) in Philadelphia and the Leaders Academy learning center say that other aides at the April 17 celebration of Umma (Arabic for “community”) Day did not know the language, and that those who did were not paying attention to the lyrics during what was a hectic event. They called the performances “a grave mistake” and “ours to own.”
