Colleagues:
On Monday, May 18th, a horrific act of violence unfolded at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
There will be time for investigations, policy discussions, and broader conversations about hate, violence, extremism, and safety in our communities. But today, let’s simply pause to focus on three beautiful people whose courage helped prevent an even greater tragedy.
Let’s imprint their names, their faces, and their stories in our minds and hearts:
Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nader Awad who gave their lives protecting children.
140 children were inside the school and mosque complex at the time of the attack. In the middle of unimaginable danger, these men instinctively moved to action and helped save those children.
Amin Abdullah, a security guard who confronted the shooters, activated lockdown procedures, and warned staff and teachers inside the building.
Mansour Kaziha is a longtime elder and respected member of the mosque community.
Nader Awad is a community member who lived across the street from the Islamic Center.
These men acted out of love for their community and an instinct to protect children.
Our hearts are with the families of the victims, the Muslim community in San Diego, and all those impacted by this tragedy. As educators and public servants, we reaffirm our commitment to campuses and communities where every individual feels nurtured, respected, welcomed, and safe.
Let’s envelope our colleagues and friends in San Diego with warmth and love as they cope with this senseless tragedy.
With much love,
Your colleague,
sonya
