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September 17, 2025

West Philly teen found guilty of trying to make bombs for Syrian terrorist group

Prosecutors say Muhyyee-Ud-din Abdul-Rahman planned to carry out an attack in the Philly region.

PhillyVoice Staff

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Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice

Muhyyee-Ud-din Abdul-Rahman, 19, of West Philly, was found guilty of trying to build explosives to be used in a terrorist attack in the Philly region, but acquitted of possessing a weapon of mass destruction.

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A West Philadelphia teenager accused of testing explosives to be used in terrorist plots targeting the Philadelphia area was convicted of several charges Wednesday, but acquitted of the leading charge against him.

Muhyyee-Ud-din Abdul-Rahman, 19, was convicted of attempting to possess weapons of mass destruction, possession of explosive or incendiary materials, risking catastrophe and recklessly endangering another person after a weeklong trial. But the jury found him not guilty of possessing a weapon of mass destruction and a secondary count of possessing an instrument of crime.

MORE: If President Trump sends National Guard to Philly, how can residents respond?

Prosecutors said Abdul-Rahman had aspirations for being a bomb-maker for terrorist organizations, and he had researched the formula to create an explosive device known as TATP, or "the mother of satan." They argued he planned to carry out an attack on Lincoln University, Valley Forge Military Academy, local nuclear power plants or Philadelphia's Pride parade.

Abdul-Rahman had been held on $5 million bail since [being arrested in August 2023](/content/philadelphia-teenager-arrested-fbi-terrorism-investigation-explosives-district-attorneys-office/ ""/index.html). Common Pleas Court Judge Michele Hangley said Abdul-Rahman could be released on house arrest while awaiting sentencing, because he had been held behind bars for two years while awaiting trial.

Prosecutors said they planned to appeal Hangley's decision, arguing that he poses a threat to the public.

"This individual had a grievance against homosexuality," District Attorney Larry Krasner said at a press conference Wednesday."His desire to be a bomb-maker for terrorists resulted in multiple tests for bombs, a search for potential targets for what we believe was a terrorist bombing in the Philadelphia area or United States. ...We're not writing fiction here."

Abdul-Rahman's attorneys argued Abdul-Rahman never had the capability to make the devices, the Inquirer reported.

"They want to make him out to be this genius," Donald Chisholm, one of his lawyers, told the newspaper on Tuesday. "We don't know if he was really ever successful."

At the time of Abdul-Rahman's arrest, prosecutors said he had been in contact with members of Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad, an organization designated as a global terrorist group by the U.S. Department of State. The group has ties to Al-Qaeda and primarily operates in Syria.

Federal investigators said 14 international shipments of military and tactical gear had been sent to Abdul-Rahman's home address. They accused him of trying to build improvised explosive devices with the materials, and testing them near his family's Wynnefield home.

Molly McVety

PhillyVoice Staff

molly@phillyvoice.com

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This dude could be 19 years, 364 and 1/2 days old and still be referred to as a “teen” in some parts. Doff the Kid Gloves!

It is much worse. In Washington DC, they treat 24 year old men like 16 year old children. I wonder why?

In recent updates to District of Columbia law, the age limit for sealing or setting aside certain criminal convictions has been increased to 24. Under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), individuals who committed eligible crimes at age 24 or younger may be able to have their convictions set aside.

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He wanted to move to Syria and make bombs for terrorists... they began investigating him in March of 2023 after they received electronic communications between the defendant and terrorist organizations in Syria with ties to Al Qaeda.

The threat is real, and this is from someone that was born here. Imagine how many of the millions of people that have poured across our border over the past few years have come here with the intent to do us harm!

Whether he was successful or not is immaterial if he was trying. Simple life advice. Don't murder people, don't build bombs or spend time trying to kill people and you will live a much more fullfilling wholesome happy life.

I'm shocked PV left the comments open for this one. Someone is going to get a stern talking to by their editor!

Send him to Montego Bay!

"I lay on a lilo 'til I'm lobster red

I still feel the motion here at home in bed

I tell you it's hard for me to stay away

You ain't been 'til you've been high Montego Bay"

Hates gays must mean righty since loves gays means lefty.

Muhyyee-Ud-din Abdul-Rahman

Rama Lama Ding Dong, Blue Moon.

THEY SAY THE ISLAM PEOPLE HATE THE GAYS ALMOST AS MUCH AS THE JEWS SO HOW COME THE DEMOCRATS SUPPORT THEM SO MUCH

Can we put the magat terrorists in jail too or is it reserved only for people of color?

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West Philly teen found guilty of trying to make bombs for Syrian terrorist group

Prosecutors say Muhyyee-Ud-din Abdul-Rahman planned to carry out an attack in the Philly region.

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