Eid festivities in Pennsylvania took a grim turn following a shooting at Clara Muhammad Square Park in Philadelphia, injuring several individuals.
The altercation erupted on Wednesday afternoon among two factions amidst approximately 1,000 people celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr, the conclusion of Ramadan.
Despite the discharge of around 30 rounds, as reported by Fox29 News, there have fortunately been no fatalities. Three individuals, however, did sustain injuries.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel disclosed that the injured included a 15-year-old assailant wielding an assault rifle who a police officer confronted. Currently stable in the hospital, the young gunman’s involvement has led officials to assert that the shooting was not related to the Eid celebrations.
Bethel emphasized, as per the BBC, that most attendees were peaceful, but a few’s actions marred the event’s sanctity. Police have detained five individuals and seized five weapons from the scene. The detainees consist of three males, one female, and the teenage gunman.
The shooting incident has heightened concerns within the Muslim community about safety amidst an escalating climate of Islamophobia.
Najah Bey, an attendee of the Eid celebration, lamented the inability to celebrate without fear of violence.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L Parker extended support to the Muslim community, underscoring the universal right to worship in peace, especially highlighted during the sacred occasion of Eid al-Fitr. Her commitment to unity and restoring harmony was shared on social media platform X.
