When Linda Sarsour, a New York activist, noticed on social media that the Islamic Middle of San Diego had been attacked on Monday, she instantly texted Imam Taha Hassane.
Ms. Sarsour, certainly one of 4 nationwide co-chairs of the Ladies’s March on Washington in 2017, has crisscrossed the nation talking at mosques and neighborhood facilities. Shortly after the taking pictures, which killed three folks, she stated that the Islamic Middle of San Diego was “a mannequin for the remainder of the nation.”
“It’s such a beautiful place, and I’m not even saying that to you simply because it’s this mosque,” she stated in an interview. “I’ve been there so many occasions.”
At a information convention on Monday night, Mr. Hassane stated the neighborhood was in mourning.
“That is one thing we now have by no means anticipated to happen, however on the similar time, the spiritual intolerance and the hate, sadly, that exists in our nation is unprecedented,” he stated. “All of us, we’re chargeable for spreading the tradition of tolerance, the tradition of affection.”
The mosque’s website says that its mission is to “work with the bigger neighborhood to serve the much less lucky, to teach, and to raised our nation.” It holds prayers 5 occasions a day, in addition to a Friday sermon.
Ms. Sarsour stated the mosque’s range is its most putting side.
“Folks from African Individuals to African immigrants to Arabs to white converts to Jap Europeans to Latinos,” she stated. “It’s actually essentially the most various mosque that I’ve ever been to in my complete life.”
Ms. Sarsour has been a distinguished advocate for Islamic causes, championing the rights of Palestinians. She gained prominence as a voice for the rights of Muslims after 9/11, and extra just lately has change into a goal for supporters of President Trump — and for Russian trolls.
Her activism has taken her throughout the nation, together with to San Diego. The Islamic Middle there, she stated, does plenty of neighborhood service and mobilizes parishioners to go to pro-immigrant rallies. It hosts open homes for most of the people.
“Their sermons are all in English due to the variety of the mosque,” she stated. “You may’t do it in Urdu, or Arabic, due to that range.”
Ms. Sarsour stated that it was greater than only a place to hope, and that there was all the time an exercise. On the time of the taking pictures, dad and mom would have been within the lounge space after dropping their kids on the adjoining Islamic college, she stated.
She stated that the imam, Mr. Hassane, was lively within the bigger neighborhood and a part of many nationwide interfaith efforts.
“He’s not like an everyday imam, like those who go to the mosque, lead a prayer and go residence,” she stated.