San Diego Muslim Community Seeks Healing After Mosque Attack: 'We Must Find a Greater Love'

The San Diego Muslim community is grappling with grief and seeking healing after a deadly attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego in the Clairemont neighborhood. The shooting, which occurred on May 24, 2026, claimed the lives of three men: Nadir Awad, Amin Abdullah, and another victim, who are hailed as heroes for confronting the gunmen and likely saving the lives of schoolchildren and teachers at the adjacent school.

Dr. Salem, a physician and mother of three, recounted the terror of that day.

She heard sounds like firecrackers, then saw Awad running from his house toward the mosque, gesturing for her to leave. As she fled, she saw Abdullah lying motionless, bleeding from his head.

Awad was fatally shot moments later. Salem has struggled with sleep and recurring memories of the violence.

In the aftermath, the community has rallied. The Islamic Center hosted a day of healing with activities for children and support from mental health professionals and religious leaders.

Meal trains and fundraisers have been organized for the victims' families. The mosque has reopened and continues to draw crowds for prayers, though its summer camp was canceled.

Security protocols are under review, and local officials, including District Attorney Summer Stephan and Rep. Sara Jacobs, have visited the center.

The attack coincided with Eid al-Adha, a four-day festival celebrating Abraham's devotion to God. In a Facebook post, the Islamic Center connected the holiday to the community's sorrow and the sacrifice of the three men.

"Eid will never feel the same without our three martyrs among us," the statement read. "Their absence is deeply felt in our masjid, our gatherings, and our hearts.

Yet even through sorrow, we hold firmly to faith."

Tazheen Nizam, executive director of the San Diego office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said the pain may never fully heal. "This is such a devastating act of violence that the community went through.

The grieving might stop, but the pain is going to be there," she said. She noted the multifaceted pain: children returning to school without seeing Amin, the constant reminders at the center, and the unanswered questions.

On Wednesday, thousands gathered for Eid prayers at the San Diego Convention Center, with a visible police presence. Ahmed Bailony, a pediatrician and mosque member, lamented the prejudice Muslims face.

"I was born in this city, I work in a hospital I was born in, and yet ever since my youth, I've heard jokes about my bomb-making abilities," he said. He urged the community to counter hatred with "greater love." "There will be those that come into our homes with guns — and we must find a greater love, a greater purpose and respond with hugs and open hearts."

Imam Taha Hassane, director of the Islamic Center, said the celebration felt "different" due to the loss of "three beloved brothers, murdered in an act of terror against our community." He called for concrete action, not just thoughts and prayers. "Hate speech has been the very bullet murdering innocent people," he said.

"Your actions and silence have normalized racism and bigotry against my community."

Despite the tragedy, many community members remain resilient. Ayham Dahlan, an attorney, said the attack made him "more mindful" but not afraid.

"I will pray in public. I just want to practice my religion freely," he said.

Amira Helmy, 21, a lifelong member of the mosque, said she is more proud to wear her hijab. "I want people to know that regardless of what's happening, I continue to be strong in my faith," she said.

Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who survived the 2019 Poway synagogue shooting, offered advice to the community. "They need to realize that they are all survivors, and that their survival was such a miracle that they need to be grateful for that," he said.

He emphasized transforming darkness into light and focusing on what one has rather than what was lost.

The National Conflict Resolution Center, which helped after the Poway attack, is also involved in San Diego. Steven Dinkin, its president, said the first step is rebuilding trust and opening lines of communication.

"Oftentimes, people just think, well, let's move into problem solving immediately," he said. "But first, we need to figure out how to help the community address the issue."

Imam Hassane, who was close to the victims, said he is focusing on staying strong for his community. He visits the families of the deceased, offering hugs and reminding them of patience and the heroic sacrifice of their loved ones.

"They put their bodies on the line to save the kids of the school, to save all of us who were inside the building," he said. "That makes them very proud of their fathers."

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