PHILADELPHIA — Governor Josh Shapiro paid a visit to Al-Aqsa Islamic Society on Tuesday evening, describing it as the “center of the universe in this community,” to announce a $5 million grant for the community center.
“I know that right now, as we’re facing tumult overseas and rising hatred here at home, institutions are more important than ever before, and having community centers like this are more important than ever before,” Shapiro told the room full of people sharing iftar, the meal eaten in the evening to break their Ramadan fast.
According to Shapiro’s office, the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant is the largest the Commonwealth has ever given to a Muslim organization.
The expansion will include 12 new classrooms, a gym, and additional gathering spaces for the community.
According to Asif Hussain, Chairman of the Board of Al-Aqsa Islamic Society, the goal is to establish a “academic center of excellence” at the school, Al-Aqsa Academy. He stated that the K-12 school currently has approximately 300 students and a wait list due to the community’s recent growth.
“The idea would be to have a primary, secondary, and high school all in one building, and for students who are enrolled in primary education to stay for graduation, and this become a very important part of their development and their future endeavors,” according to Hussain.
He stated that the school currently has a 100% college placement rate and would “love to see” 3,000 students enrolled.
Hussain stated that many of the children and teenagers at the school are African and Middle Eastern and come from low-income families, and that all students receive scholarships and financial aid to help pay for their tuition.
He stated that the school uses the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) as part of the scholarships offered to students, which he describes as “very helpful.”
Shapiro stated that his administration has increased education funding “to levels never seen in the Commonwealth.”
“These are really wonderful kids,” he told me. “I think it’s important to invest in centers of community.”
Shapiro stated that at the governor’s residence recently, he heard from members of the Muslim community who expressed “fear because of the policies and approach of the Trump administration.”
“Tomorrow (Wednesday) night, I’ll be hosting an iftar at the governor’s residence, and I expect that will come up in conversation,” according to Shapiro. “It does in nearly every room I’m in, especially with the Muslim community.”
Shapiro described it as a “moment” in which he believes communities are “fearful of the federal government.”
“And that’s deeply concerning to me, and I want the Muslim community to know that they are welcome here in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro replied. “They are warmly embraced in Pennsylvania, that I’ve got their back and I’m going to protect them.”
