The Greater Los Angeles Area Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA), along with the Islamic Society of Orange County (ISOC), the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, faith leaders, and elected officials, yesterday held a vigil in honor of Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nadir Awad—the three victims of the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD).
On Monday, May 18, two radicalized teenagers opened fire at ICSD, San Diego County’s largest mosque, killing the three men and then themselves. Investigators reportedly recovered anti-Islam writings in the suspects’ car, and the San Diego Police Department confirmed that the attack is being investigated as a possible hate crime.
During the vigil people of all faiths—including members of the Jewish, Catholic, Sikh, Hindu, and Mormon communities—gathered to honor the three victims, show support to their families, stand in solidarity with the San Diego Muslim community, and learn about the connection between widespread anti-Muslim rhetoric and targeted acts of violence.
In a statement, CAIR California CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“This terrorist attack did not happen in a vacuum. When politicians demonize communities, when influencers profit from fear, and when Muslims are constantly portrayed as dangerous or unwelcome, that rhetoric shapes the world around us. It creates an environment where violence becomes easier to justify, and human beings become easier to dehumanize.
“This [gathering] is not solely about grief. It must also be a moment of moral clarity, a recommitment from all of us to challenge anti-Muslim hate and bigotry, reject silence, and confront hatred wherever it takes root … and together, we continue the work of building a society rooted not in fear and division, but in justice, compassion, dignity, and our shared community.”
In a statement, Shura Council Board Chair Deana Helmy said:
“Before they were heroes in a headline, [the victims] were men. They were fathers and sons, neighbors and friends; they were people who showed up to their mosque on a Monday morning and were met with the worst of what hatred can do … What took place was not a random act of violence; it was an act of anti-Muslim hate … We have to be very clear about it because staying silent or shifting the terminology we use is a disgrace to both them and to the community that is mourning.”
In a statement, Gagandeep Kaur Mann-Saechao, a representative from Interfaith Youth Alliance & member of the Sikh community, said:
“For the past 26 years in this interfaith community, I have witnessed what becomes possible when communities choose relationships over division, care over silence, and shared humanity over fear. I have seen people from different faiths show up for one another in moments of joy, crisis, grief, and healing. And tonight is a reflection of that same spirit … Healing happens when people feel held by the community, when people know they do not have to carry fear alone.”
In a statement, Rad Jews of OC✶LBC Co-founder & Jewish Voice for Peace Member Autumn Overton said:
“We have to look within, and to one another. Our biases are ammunition for these warlords. Each generalization we speak or hear is like a bullet looking for its target. We must see through the lies that divide us … We must dedicate ourselves to having hard conversations amongst ourselves, and with our congregations, about our biases and the politics of hate and greed that plant seeds of hate in our communities. And we must avoid conspiracy theories and instead speak out about those actually in power who profit from sewing chaos and division. Let us remember that those who hate, aim for all of us.”
In a statement, Executive Director of the Academy for Judaic, Christian, and Islamic Studies Dr. Reinhard Krauss said:
“Those who sow the dark seeds of hate are equally or even more accountable for last Monday’s grisly deed. We live in a country in which the Secretary of War has the Crusaders’ motto ‘Deus vult,’ ‘God wills it,’ tattooed on his forearm—the very slogan of hatred for Muslims. As always, the hate-mongering politicians and news pundits now claim innocence. They try to wash their hands of the precious blood that was shed. But make no mistake: they have blood on their hands, and we must hold them accountable.”
SEE ALSO: Interfaith Vigil Speakers’ Full Remarks
If you or someone you know is the victim of a hate crime or incident, click here to contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights department or call (714) 776-1177 (ext. 1).
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
– END –
CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR-LA Senior Communications Coordinator Madi Hameed, mmorse-hameed@cair.com