A Tragic Shooting at Our Masjid

As-salamu alaykum, everyone. I wanted to share something heavy on my heart. Recently, there was a shooting at our local masjid in San Diego, which feels unreal because California isn’t known for that kind of violence. It hit close to home-my dad knew some of those who passed away. The security guard who ran to warn everyone inside and lock down the building, along with two others who tried to help, died as heroes. Their janazah was yesterday, may Allah have mercy on them. What really disturbed me was the shooter’s manifesto. I shouldn’t have read it, but I needed to understand their thinking. It was full of pure evil-jokes about the attack, praise for past mass murderers, and instructions to encourage others to do the same. They even planned which masjids and Islamic schools to target. It breaks my heart to see such hatred. Alhamdulillah, on Friday, another person tried to bring a gun into a different masjid during Jumu’ah, but the security guard stopped him before he could enter. I’m so grateful no children were harmed-that would have shattered me. These two attackers ended their own lives, but they can’t escape what awaits them. Media really influences people, so I urge parents to watch over their kids and keep them away from the dark corners of the internet. With rising Islamophobia, let’s make dua and look out for one another. Please pray for those who gave their lives protecting our brothers and sisters. May Allah bless you all, ameen.