The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), America’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that its 32nd Annual Gala will recognize the three men who saved countless lives when they confronted two white supremacist gunmen during the May 18th attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego with the 2026 American Muslim of the Year Award.
CAIR plans to present the recognition posthumously to family members and representatives of Mr. Amin Abdullah, Mr. Nader Awad and Mr. Mansour Kaziha, who spent years serving the San Diego Muslim community and their neighbors. Their courageous actions during the anti-Muslim terrorist attack on the San Diego mosque helped save the lives of more than 100 people inside, most of them school children.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“Every year, the American Muslim of the Year recognition goes to a community member who has made a positive impact on society and, in doing so, exemplified the best of Islam.
“This year, we are honored to present this recognition to the martyred heroes of the Islamic Center of San Diego: Brothers Amin Abdullah, Nader Awad and Mansour Kaziha. After spending years serving members of the San Diego Muslim community and their neighbors, each of these men bravely confronted hate and saved the lives of over 100 people, most of them children.
“No earthly honor or recognition could do justice to the beautiful lives these men led or the sacrifice they made to save others, but we must do our best to remember them, take inspiration from them, and stand with their families. We invite the American Muslim community, our neighbors, and our friends to join us in honoring Brothers Amin, Nader, and Mansour.”
END
CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]