RNS: San Diego mosque shooting victims remembered as ‘men of courage, sacrifice and faith’
(RNS) — The three American Muslims killed during a shooting Monday (May 18) at a San Diego mosque are being remembered by their imam and faith community as “men of courage, sacrifice and faith” who put themselves on the line to protect others.
The Islamic Center of San Diego identified the victims as Amin Abdullah, describing him as a “gentle” security guard; Nadir Awad, a “dedicated neighbor”; and Mansour Kaziha, a longtime shopkeeper and caretaker of the mosque.
Abdullah died protecting more than 200 children and community members, the mosque’s Imam Taha Hassane said in an interview with RNS. The “beloved” security guard was killed first, Hassane said, but before he died, he used his radio to warn teachers in the center’s school to lock their classroom doors. He “undoubtedly he saved lives today” by delaying the shooters in a gunbattle in front of the mosque, said San Diego Police Department Chief Scott Wahl during a press conference Monday.
