The Muslim American Society Islamic Center in Philadelphia (MAS Philly) posted a video to its now-deleted Facebook page showing children reciting a song that has caught the attention of the nation.
In the video translated by MEMRI, children can be heard saying: “The land of the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey is calling us. Our Palestine must return to us."
Later into the video one of the young girls says, “Our martyrs sacrificed their lives without hesitation. They attacked Paradise, and the scent of musk emanates from their bodies. They compete with one another to reach Paradise.”
“Will Jerusalem be their capital city?” she asks. “Or will it be a hotbed for cowards?”
The video sparked more outrage after another girl read from her sheet of paper about sacrifice:
“We will defend the land of divine guidance with our bodies,” she started. “We will sacrifice our souls without hesitation. We will chop off their heads, and we will liberate the sorrowful and exalted Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
“We will lead the arm of Allah fulfilling His promise,” she continued. “We will subject them to eternal torture.”
MAS Philly is one of the 42 chapters of the Muslim American Society, which says its mission is to “move people to strive for God-consciousness, liberty and justice, and to convey Islam with utmost clarity," and that its vision is "a virtuous and just American society."
The organization responded to the video in a statement:
Not all songs were properly vetted. This was an unintended mistake and an oversight in which the center and the students are remorseful. MAS will conduct an internal investigation to ensure this does not occur again.