'We will not be broken:' Interfaith vigil emphasizes connection amid grief
The day after three men were killed at the Islamic Center of San Diego, hundreds of community members, religious and nonprofit leaders, and government officials gathered to pray and pay respect to the victims and their families.
Written by Sam Barney-Gibbs, Edited by Lauren J. Mapp
Some with flowers, others with prayer rugs, filled the sidewalks leading to Lindbergh Park in Clairemont Mesa Tuesday evening as they walked to an interfaith vigil in support of the Islamic Center of San Diego following Monday’s mass shooting.
The sunset left warm tones on an array of hijabs, taqiyahs, keffiyahs, dark suits, light robes and sunglass-worn faces as mourners and San Diego community members gathered to commemorate the lives of the three men who were killed.
Hundreds of people gather for an interfaith vigil honoring the lives of three men killed at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Sam Barney-Gibbs/Daylight San Diego
Many speakers at the vigil — including religious and nonprofit leaders, government officials and family members of two of the victims — remembered Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad as martyrs.
Mansour’s son Yasser Kaziha said his father was a pillar of the community, not only for running the mosque’s store, but also for his role as a father figure and community leader.
“Whether he was forgiving you for that Snickers bar that you didn't have that dollar for or stirring up that lentil soup that you all love, he knew his one purpose was to serve this beautiful community,” Kaziha said.
Mohammed Kadura, Awad’s son-in-law, spoke through tears describing how Awad risked his life for the sake of his friends and their children.
“He did not hesitate. He moved so quickly,” Kadura said. “He did not want his community to be at harm, his place of worship to be harmed.”
Left: Mansour Kaziha’s son Yasser Kaziha (center) talks about his father’s role in the San Diego Muslim community. Right: Mohammed Kadura (right), victim Nadir Awad’s son-in-law, tears up while talking about his father-in-law at an interfaith vigil on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Sam Barney-Gibbs/Daylight San Diego
Elected officials shared concern for San Diego’s Muslim community during the vigil.
San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre said the pain of loss extends beyond the mosque. She said they chose courage, sacrifice and extraordinary service by giving their lives to protect children in the mosque’s school.
“You belong here,” Aguirre said. “Your houses of worship belong here. Your schools belong here. Your sacred spaces must be safe.”
City councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera said San Diegans share the responsibility to protect one another, and these three men embodied that.
“Yesterday, San Diego’s heart was outside of us,” Elo-Rivera said. “We are family. My safety is bound to yours.”
San Diego city councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera (left photo) and assistant executive director of UDW/AFSCME Local 3930 Johanna Hester (right photo) speak to hundreds of people at Tuesday’s interfaith vigil. Sam Barney-Gibbs/Daylight San Diego
As the assistant executive director of UDW/AFSCME Local 3930, a union of more than 130,000 care providers throughout California, Johanna Hester said she’s worked with people across faiths and backgrounds. She said the local Muslim community has shown immense love and care to San Diego.
Echoing the uplifting and connective energy of the evening, Hester said her union will continue to uplift the message that historically targeted groups will not be broken or intimidated by xenophobic violence.
“Grief will not be the end of this story,” Hester said. “It strengthens our resolve to confront hate wherever it appears, to stand with every community targeted by White supremacy, and to refuse silence in the face of violence.”
Tazheen Nizam, the executive director for the San Diego chapter of the Center for American-Islamic Relations hosted the speaking engagement. Nodding her head in agreement after Hester’s speech, she paused as if deep in thought.
“We will not be broken,” Nizam said.
The vigil took place during Dhul-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, the first 10 days of which is considered the most spiritual time of the year, according to The Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research.
Activist San Diego executive director Yusef Miller spoke directly to the Muslim individuals in the packed crowd to use this sacred time to “pray beautifully,” not in fear. He also thanked attendees of other or no religious faith, citing how many people regardless of one’s religious affiliations showed support after a 2019 fire burned an Escondido mosque.
“Non-muslims still show the example of Islam when they come here to stand with us today,” Miller said.
He asked everyone to do more than feel anger and to also remember the men’s amazing sacrifices, as a way to feel closer to Allah, other gods or one’s community.
“We are always asked to pray as if it is our last prayer,” he said. “These martyrs did not die in vain.”
