The Islamic Center of San Diego became a somber gathering place on Thursday as the community came together to honor three lives tragically lost in a mass shooting earlier in the week. Those remembered included Amin Abdullah, a devoted security guard and father of eight who is credited with averting further tragedy, as well as mosque members Nader Awad and Mansoor Kazziha. These men were victims of a senseless attack perpetrated by two teenage assailants, Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18.
The memorial service, which drew hundreds of mourners from the Muslim community, was held at Snapdragon Stadium on the San Diego State University Mission Valley Campus. Attendees gathered to pay their respects, reflecting on the bravery and sacrifice of the deceased.
The Islamic Center’s website paid tribute to the fallen, describing them as “Three heroes martyred at the Islamic Center of San Diego protecting our children.” This message resonated deeply with those present, highlighting the profound loss felt by the community.
In a poignant moment of unity, mourners prayed and stood alongside the resting bodies of the three men before they were transported to their final resting place at La Vista Memorial Park in National City. The service and the collective grief it encapsulated were shared widely on the Islamic Center’s social media platforms, allowing those unable to attend in person to join in mourning from afar.
Mourners prayed and stood together close to the bodies of the men before they were taken to the La Vista Memorial Park in National City where they were laid to rest.
The service was shared on the Islamic Center’s social media, with many mourning the three from afar.
“I wish I could be there. May Allah (SWT) grant Brother Mansour, Brother Amin, and Brother Nadir Jannatul Firdaus,” one post read.
“All three of them were the kindest and most gentle human beings. May Allah SWT comfort their families’ hearts and all of ours (including the students and staff at BHA) for this significant loss to our community and Ummah.”
“Today our brother Amin Abdullah was laid to rest May Allah S.W.T illuminate his grave and make it a spacious dwelling place for him,” another wrote.
“He lived protecting the house of Allah and today he was returned to his Creator as a Shaheed. We ask Allah S.W.T to grant him the highest ranks of Jannah with the Prophets and the righteous and to pour patience and comfort into the hearts of his family. Ya Allah accept him, forgive his sins and let us meet him in the gardens of eternity Ameen.”
“May Allah accept Amin, Mansour and Nadir and shuhada, and grant them the highest levels of Jannah,” a third person wrote.
Clark and Vazquez went on a deadly shooting rampage at the San Diego mosque on Monday, killing three before turning the gun on themselves.
At least one of the suspects took a weapon from his parents’ home and left a suicide note that talked about racial pride, a law enforcement source told The Post.
The shooters co-authored a manifesto, featuring the same Nazi imagery Clark donned in a livestream video of the horrific attack.
After the shooting, the livestream showed Clark shoot Vazquez twice in the head before turning the gun on himself.
Anti-Islamic writings were also found in the suspects’ vehicle, according to a law enforcement source.
The shooters’ motivations are unknown, though it appears to be a crime aimed at the Muslim faith.
