DOJ: Man Charged in Philadelphia Mosque Fire Targeted House of Worship

Vincent Lang, 60, was indicted on charges of malicious damage by fire to a building used in interstate commerce and damage to religious real property. According to the DOJ, the indictment alleges that Lang committed the act because of the property's religious character as a mosque.

Lang has been held in federal custody since his arrest in mid-July. The indictment claims that in the early hours of July 5, Lang maliciously damaged and attempted to damage the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center by means of fire. Local media reported that no one was injured during the incident.

If convicted, Lang faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years. A representative for Lang could not be reached for comment. Rights advocates have noted an increase in Islamophobia in recent decades, citing factors such as the post-9/11 environment, anti-immigration policies, white supremacy, and the conflict in Gaza.