Last week, more than 170 tombstones were knocked down at a Jewish cemetery near St. Louis, Missouri. In response, the Muslim community, led by activists Linda Sarsour and Tarek El-Messidi started a fundraising campaign that raised over $65,000 to repair the damages.
Last night saw almost the exact same story unfold in a different place.
Read more: Muslims Raise Over $65,000 for Vandalized Jewish Headstones
The Associated Press reports that 100 tombstones were knocked down by vandals in what is thought to be an act of religiously-motivated hate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
And again the Muslim community, led this time by Nadiya Al-Noor, is showing its solidarity with the affected Jewish community. Al-Noor started a crowdfunding campaign with the aim of raising $10,000. As of 12:30 p.m. Monday, the campaign has raised just under $500.
Other civil rights groups also spoke out against the act of vandalism.
The Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect, which has been vocal since the election of President Donald Trump, called on the president to condemn the spate of hate crimes against religious minorities since his election.
Read more: A Hate Crime Happened Every 17 Minutes in the Days After the Election
“Mr. President, it’s time for you to deliver a prime-time nationally televised speech, live from the Oval Office, on how you intend to combat not only Antisemitism but also Islamophobia and other forms of rising hate,” the message read. “Whether or not your intention, your presidency has given the oxygen of incitement to some of the most vicious hateful elements of our society.”
Jewish graves in Philadelphia now vandalized. Stop this incubator of #Antisemitism and other hate. WE BEG YOU @POTUS@realDonaldTrumppic.twitter.com/RHuIjdE2Yg
— AnneFrankCenter(US) (@AnneFrankCenter) February 26, 2017
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA also released a statement, offering condolences and solidarity to the Jewish community.
“We call upon all Americans to stand up against this hatred and extremism,” Dr. Nassim Rehmatullah, the national vice president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, said in the statement.
PRESS RELEASE: Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA Condemns Vandalism of Jewish Cemeteries#Philadelphiapic.twitter.com/1HC7JauOhb
— Islam Press (@Islam_Press) February 27, 2017
This past week has seen a spike in crimes aimed at the Jewish community. On February 20, President’s Day, 10 Jewish community centers were evacuated on account of bomb threats. And today, two additional Jewish day schools in Maryland and Florida also received bomb threats.
The Anti-Defamation League warned Jewish community centers to “review the organization's security manual and bomb threat guidance” as well.