Community Mourns Heroes of San Diego Mosque Attack

Mansour Kaziha, Amin Abdullah, and Nadir Awad were known for their simple, everyday kindness at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Kaziha was the friendly shopkeeper who let children have candy for free. Awad brought joy with his humor and regular prayers at the mosque. Abdullah was a dedicated security guard who greeted everyone with warmth and wisdom.

These ordinary interactions took a tragic turn when, during a recent attack, all three men demonstrated extraordinary bravery. They sacrificed themselves to protect the children and staff from gunmen aiming to cause harm inside the mosque. “At no point were they hiding or running away,” said Ghouse Mohammed, head of security at the center. “All three of them were heroes.”

In the aftermath, the community grieves and appreciates the courage of Abdullah, Kaziha, and Awad. There is growing frustration over the anti-Muslim rhetoric contributing to the violence.

Remembering the Victims

Amin Abdullah’s commitment to his role as a security guard was evident in his actions. He often missed personal events to ensure the mosque’s safety. Abdullah’s daughter, Hawaa, shared how he would skip meals to remain vigilant. Shaken by the 2019 New Zealand mosque shooting, Abdullah was protective by nature. Ismahan Abdullahi noted, “He was courageous and selfless, always putting others first.”

Mansour Kaziha, who had been a fixture at the center since the 1980s, was known affectionately as “uncle” by the community’s children. He was remembered for his lentil soup and for feeding many during Ramadan. “He was a pillar of this center,” said Noor Abdi, a youth leader who cherished Kaziha’s contributions.

Nadir Awad, who lived nearby, responded quickly to the attack. Though he had no official role, his readiness to help was typical of his character. “He ran towards the center to help,” Mohammed recalled.

Increasing Threats and Security Concerns

The attack occurred amid rising anti-Muslim sentiment in the U.S., linked to various global conflicts and political factors, according to the Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH). Reports show a surge in anti-Muslim incidents, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations recording a significant number of bias complaints last year.

Political rhetoric has also played a role, with a significant increase in social media posts by some politicians targeting Muslim Americans. “When you label a community as the enemy, violence often follows,” warned Raqib Naik, executive director of CSOH.

Mohammed, having overseen mosque security for 13 years, noted a spike in threats since a recent attack on Israel. After the 2019 New Zealand attack, the mosque increased security measures, including arming guards. Abdullah was one of the guards hired to enhance safety.

Although the mosque practiced active shooter drills, they primarily focused on scenarios involving a single attacker. In response to this tragedy, Mohammed emphasized the need for better protection at religious sites. “We did our best,” he said, mourning the loss of Abdullah, a trusted colleague and friend.