The pain, grief, and disbelief from Monday's mass shooting still lingered at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Friday, as members of the Muslim community gathered for an Azza to give condolences to the families of the victims.
The pain, grief, and disbelief from Monday's mass shooting still lingered at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Friday, as members of the Muslim community gathered for an Azza to give condolences to the families of the victims.
As the sun set, members of the Muslim community walked along the flower-lined sidewalk into the mosque: A holy place that was a crime scene just days before.
"Yes, we lost 3 dear brothers. Our heroes, our martyrs," said Imam Taha Hassane with the Islamic Center of San Diego. On Monday, tragedy struck at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Police rushed to calls of an active shooter, but within minutes, lives were already lost.
Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nader Awad were killed. The two suspected shooters, just 17 and 18 years old, were found dead in a car blocks away. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the moment that stayed with him.
"And I'll tell you what got me- watching the kids come running out. Just thankful to be alive," Wahl said. By Tuesday, grief had set in. Lindbergh Neighborhood Park filled with people honoring the victims.
The community praised Amin Abdullah, the security guard shot while on duty. He warned others just before he was killed, saving the lives of more than 100 children at the center's school. Mohamed Hanouf, whose 5-year-old sister survived the shooting, paid tribute to Abdullah.
"The reason I'm wearing this vest today is for the security guard over there who saved all the children's lives. He always used to have … holding his vest like this, standard of power, just smiling, greeting everyone. So, this is just, I'm wearing this vest for tribute," said Hanouf. The San Diego Police Department also said Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad distracted the suspects and drew them away from the school.
By Wednesday, flowers and handwritten notes had multiplied outside the mosque. A fundraiser for the victims' families reached into the millions. On Thursday, the community said goodbye to the three men at a traditional Muslim burial. Hundreds gathered at Snapdragon Stadium, then traveled to La Vista Memorial Park Cemetery, where Abdullah, Kaziha, and Awad were laid to rest side by side.
They were considered to be martyrs.
"The community, all of the community, whether we are related to them or not, the community is very, very shocked, grieving, devastated at the loss of these three heroes," said Tazheen Nizam, executive director of CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations Friday night's Azza was for the families, facing the reality of life without their loved ones. "Oh, it's important in order to join the family of the deceased brother, the deceased Muslim, to let them know that we are here to support you.
You are not alone. We are not going to let you be just by yourselves," Hassane said. By Friday, the message from the Muslim community was clear: These men are not being remembered as victims, but as heroes who faced danger so others could live. Follow ABC 10News Reporter Ava Kershner on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Islamic Center Of San Diego Mansour Kaziha Nadir Awad San Diego Mass Shooting San Diego Mosque Shooting Azza
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