San Diego Imam Condemns Deadly Islamic Centre Shooting as “Extremely Outrageous”

An American imam, Taha Hassane, condemned the San Diego Islamic Centre shooting as “extremely outrageous,” saying it was a shocking attack on a place of worship. He said five people were killed, including three victims and two suspected shooters, and described the centre as a peaceful space for prayer and learning. He also thanked people worldwide for their support and condolences.

An American imam has described a deadly shooting at an Islamic centre in San Diego, California, as “extremely outrageous,” saying the attack has left the community in shock and mourning.
Taha Hassane, who serves as the director of the Islamic Centre of San Diego where the incident took place, spoke to reporters shortly after the violence, expressing disbelief that such an attack could happen inside a place of worship. Authorities confirmed that five people were killed in the incident, including three victims and two suspected shooters, in a case that is being widely condemned and investigated.
Hassane said the Islamic centre had never before experienced such a tragedy, describing the event as unprecedented in the history of the community. He explained that the centre is not only a mosque for prayer but also a space for education, cultural exchange, and community engagement, welcoming people from diverse backgrounds.
He strongly condemned the attack, calling it a direct violation of the sanctity of a religious institution. According to him, places of worship should always remain safe spaces where people can pray, learn, and gather in peace without fear of violence or intimidation.
“It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship. Our Islamic centre is a place of worship. People come to the Islamic centre to pray, to celebrate, to learn, not only Muslims, but we have people from all walks of life,” he said.
He further emphasized that the centre had recently hosted visitors from outside the Muslim community, including non-Muslims who came earlier in the day to learn about Islam and the culture of the congregation. He said this reflected the centre’s mission of openness, dialogue, and mutual understanding.
“So this is something that we never expected,” Hassane added, reflecting on how quickly a peaceful day turned into a tragic event that has left families devastated and the wider community in mourning.
The imam also highlighted the emotional toll on worshippers, staff, and families connected to the centre, noting that many are struggling to come to terms with the loss of life and the sudden violence in a space they consider safe and sacred.
At the same time, he expressed deep appreciation for the overwhelming support received from across the United States and from international communities. He said messages of condolence, prayers, and offers of assistance had poured in from people of different faiths and backgrounds, providing some comfort during a painful moment.
Hassane thanked those who reached out “from all over the country, and even from overseas,” saying the solidarity shown to the community had been deeply meaningful.
He also reiterated a broader message of unity and tolerance, stressing that acts of violence against religious spaces must be condemned universally. He urged continued efforts to promote understanding between communities and to ensure that places of worship remain protected and respected.