Interfaith Community Vigil

In the wake of the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, which resulted in the death of three men who bravely intervened to protect the school children and teachers at the elementary school inside the center, community members of all faiths and backgrounds came together for an interfaith vigil honoring those impacted and standing against hatred in every form.

Below is a statement from the Majdal Center of San Diego on the attack:

Majdal Center Statement on the Violent Attack on Our Beloved Community Institution, the Islamic Center of San Diego

On behalf of Majdal Center’s staff, board, and volunteers, we are deeply devastated by the horrific attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego and the loss of three beloved community members. Our mosques are sacred places for worship, gathering, and learning and must be protected as such. An attack on one community space is an attack on all of us.

While San Diego law enforcement is investigating the attack as a hate crime, we must be clear: this devastating attack was driven by Islamophobic racism, fueled by hateful rhetoric, negligence, and harmful policies perpetuated by national leadership and media narratives.

The Islamic Center of San Diego is a central space where many members of our community pray, send their children to school, celebrate life’s milestones, and organize critical conversations and advocacy. It is a pillar institution — a place of beauty, belonging, and life — now marred by tragedy.

Our hearts are with all those directly impacted: Imam Taha Hassane and his family, the hundreds of children and parents traumatized by this violence, and the broader community grappling with profound grief and shock.

We extend our deepest condolences to the three individuals who sacrificed their lives protecting this sacred community space. We mourn their loss and honor them as pillars of the community:

Abdullah Amin, the mosque’s security guard and proud community member who stood as the first line of defense.

Abu El Ezz, staff member and storekeeper known and cherished throughout the community.

Nadir Awad, beloved community member who rushed forward to defend others in the face of the attack.