Board Resolution Honors Amin Abdullah, Nadir Awad, Mansour Kaziha, and Condemns Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Violence

San Diego County Board of Education honors Amin Abdullah, Nadir Awad, Mansour Kaziha, and condemns Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Violence. Resolution No. 2026-24 reads:

WHEREAS, San Diego County is home to more than 100,000 Muslims, about 3% of all residents, contributing to its cultural vibrancy, economic vitality, and civic life; and

WHEREAS, American Muslims — both immigrant and native-born — represent a diversity of racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds, and contribute to the pluralism that strengthens the United States; and

WHEREAS, Islamophobia creates a distorted understanding of Islam and Muslims by transforming the global and historical faith tradition of Islam, along with the rich history of its adherents, into a set of stereotyped characteristics most often reducible to themes of violence and fundamental otherness; and

WHEREAS, acts of bias, discrimination, and hate, including hate crimes, mosque vandalism, school bullying, workplace and housing discrimination, and targeted hate speech continue to impact the Muslim community; and

WHEREAS, the most recent and tragic local example of Islamophobia is the May 18, 2026 shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, which killed three men, terrified children and adults inside the mosque, and terrorized the entire community; and

WHEREAS, this hateful attack was all the more painful coming during American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month and in the lead up to Hajj and Eid al-Adha; and

WHEREAS, every person regardless of race, religion, culture, gender, ability, background, or circumstances deserves to feel welcome and safe in our community, in our houses of worship, and in our schools; and

WHEREAS, gun violence occurs in America with a frequency and a severity that is unparalleled anywhere in the world; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the San Diego County Board of Education mourns the loss of Amin Abdullah, Nadir Awad, Mansour Kaziha, three heroes who were killed during the attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, sacrificing themselves so that the 140 children and countless others present at the center could live; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the San Diego County Board of Education condemns all acts of violence, bigotry, hate speech and intimidation targeted at members of our community who are or are perceived to be Muslim; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the San Diego County Board of Education stands with our Muslim neighbors against hate and violence and reaffirm our commitment to our mission of belonging; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the San Diego County Board of Education directs the county superintendent of schools to support districts and schools in working with community stakeholders, law enforcement, mental health professionals, parents, students, teachers, and staff to take any threats of violence seriously and to develop, implement, and monitor policies and programs that foster and support a positive school climate for all students, free from harassment and violence.