Remembering the victims at the Islamic Center of San Diego

Imam Taha Hassane and San Diego police identified the three men who were killed at the mosque and school as Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad.

Written by Kate Morrissey, Edited by Lauren J. Mapp

Imam Taha Hassane and San Diego police on Tuesday identified the three men who died Monday protecting the Islamic Center of San Diego as Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad. 

During a press conference at the San Diego police headquarters, they celebrated the three men, who were community members who attended and assisted at the mosque, as heroes who gave their lives to protect children in the school there.

Later in the day on Tuesday, Muslim leaders from across the county gathered in a park next to the Islamic Center to remember the men, to express their grief and frustration at the hateful rhetoric that encourages violence against their faith and to call on elected leaders to take action to combat Islamophobia. 

The daughter of Amin Abdullah, the security guard who died, was among the speakers.